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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIl^
THE REV. ALEXANDER GRISWOLD CUMMINS, A.M.. Litt.D.
Instituted Rector of Christ Church
December 2d, 1900
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THE
a^rorifi 0f ®i|n0t OlJiurrlj
POUGHKEEPSIE
NEW YORK
EDITED BT
HELEN WILKINSON REYNOLDS
PUBLISHED BY THE WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN
DPON THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OP THE INSTITUTION OF THE RECTOR
THE REVEREND ALEXANDER GRISWOLD CUMMINS, A.M., Litt.D.
POUGHKEEPSIE
FHANK B. HOWARD
1911
CONTENTS
PART I
1755-1810
Chapter I; 1755-1762 Page 1
The Visits to Dutchess County of the Rev. Samuel Seabury,
Missionary from the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts.
Chapter II; 1763-1777 Page 12
The Rectorate of the Rev. John Beardsley. The Purchase of the
Glebe. The Charter of Incorporation. The Erection of the First
Church Building. The Removal of the Rector by Order of the
Council of Safety. Names of Contributors to the Rector's Salary,
1766-1775.
Chapter IH; 1777-1787 Page 55
From the Removal of Mr. Beardsley, the First Rector, to the
Arrival of Mr. Van Dyck, the Second. The Revolution. The
Glebe. Pewing the Church. The Arbitration with Trinity
Church, Fishkill.
Chapter IV; 1787-1798 Page 78
The Organization of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
The Relation of Christ Church to Extra-Parochial Conditions.
The Debt on the Church Building. The Sale of the Glebe. Set-
tlement with Trinity Church, Fishkill. Lawsuits with Trespass-
ers on the Glebe. Short Rectorates. The Bell. The Steeple.
Adoption of New Seal. Name of Corporation Altered. Vestry
By-Laws. Episcopalians at Red Hook. St. Ann's Church,
Beekman. Changes in Congregation of Christ Church. Gift
from Trinity Church, New York City. Names of Pewholders,
1785-1798.
Chapter V; 1798-1810 Page 103
The Purchase of a Parsonage. The Rectorate of the Rev.
Philander Chase. The Organization of St. Peter's Church,
Lithgow. The Parish Register. Diocesan Convention Held in
Christ Church. The Rectorate of the Rev. Barzillai Bulkley.
The Settlement with the Rev. John Beardsley. Improvements to
the Interior of the Church Building. Names of Pewholders,
1800-1809.
vii
CONTENTS
PART n
1810-1910
Chapter VI; 1810-1845 Page 133
The Rise of the Low Church Party. Bishop Hobart. His
Churchmanship. The Rev. John Reed. His Life- Work in Christ
Chxirch. Personnel of His Congregation. Origin of the Connec-
tion of the Potter Family with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
The First Church Building as it was in 1820. The Communion
Silver. The Founding of the Sunday School. The Purchase of a
Burial-Ground. The Erection of the Seccmd Church Building
in 1834. The Spread of the Episcopal Church in Dutchess County.
Dr. Reed's Old Age and the Call of an Assistant Minister. Dr.
Reed's Death. Names of Pewholders, 1810-1832.
Chapter Yil; 1845-1875 Page 172
The Rise of the High Church Party. Its Work for Church Exten-
sion, Schools and Hospitals. Churchmanship in this Parish. The
Rev. Homer Wheaton. The Parish Library. Repairs to the
Church Building. The Font. The Chandeliers. The Dove.
The Parish School. Social and Economic Conditions in Pough-
keepsie. The Organization of the Church of the Holy Comforter.
Church Schools. St. Barnabas's Hospital. Reminiscences of
1842-1847. Erection of a Sunday School Room, 1848. The Sun-
day School Church BeUs. The Chancel Altered. Vestments.
The Development in Church Music. Observance of Christmas.
Personnel of the Congregation. Special Services. Business
Matters. The Rev. Dr. Cady. Dutchess Convocation. -
Chapter VIII; 1875-1910 Page 218
Origin of the Broad Churchmen. The Rev. Dr. Henry L. Ziegen-
fuss. Christ Church Becomes a Broad Church Parish. Chancel
Fiu-nishings. Introduction of Organized Work. Chronological
List of Parochial Organizations. Erection of the Third Church'
Building. The Parish House. The Tower. Death of Dr.
Ziegenfuss. Social and Economic Changes. Rectorate of Dr.
Cummins. Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham's Gift. The Future
and the Need of an Endowment.
Vlll
CONTENTS
BIOGRAPHIES
Page
The Rectors of the Parish, Assistants, Curates, and Ministers in
Charge 263
APPENDIX
Wardens of the Parish, 1773-1910 303
Vestrymen, 1773-1910 304
Delegates to Diocesan Convention, 1785-1910 307
Secretaries of the Vestry, 1773-1910 309
Treasurer of the Corporation, 1773-1910 310
Clerks — Choristers — Choirmasters, 1773-1910 310
Sextons, 1784-1910 314
Organists, 1808-1910 315
Representatives of Christ Church sent by the Diocese of New York
to the General Convention 315
Clergy, who, before ordination, were aflSliated with Christ Church 316
Bibliography of Parish Records 319
List of Gifts and Memorials forming part of the fabric and furnish-
ings of the present church building 324
Memoranda of Repairs and Improvements made to theVhurch, the
Gift of Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham 335
Endowment Fund 337
Correspondence, proceedings, etc., of Christ Church, Poughkeep-
sie, and Trinity Church, Fishkill, regarding their joint inter-
ests in the Glebe 340
Correspondence, proceedings, etc., of Christ Church, and the Rev.
John Beardsley, regarding the twenty-three acre lot . . 362
Correspondence, proceedings, etc., in the call to the Rectorship ex-
tended to the Rev. Henry Van Dyck 399
INDEX
Index to Subjects 421
Index to Persons 425
IX
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Opposite Page
The Rector of the parish, the Rev. Alexander G. Cummins,
A.M., Litt. D Frontispiece
Christ Church from the northeast 1
The glebe-house. Erected 1767. Sold 1791 30
"" Map of the glebe, dated 1787, showing the trespass of Samuel
Curry 92
The parsonage. Purchased 1799. Sold 1852 106 '
The Rev. Philander Chase. From a miniature, painted on
ivory about 1798 110
The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D 118
Interior of the first church building, about 1820 .... 148
The present church building from the northwest ; showing the
location of the monument to Willoughby 158
Exterior of the second church building, erected 1834 160
Pen and ink sketch, made in 1834, of the screen which was in
the second church from 1834 to 1854 164
The Rev. John Reed, S.T.D 166
The Rev. Homer Wheaton 174
Interior of the study of the present church 178
The dove On page 178
The Parish School building. Market and Pine Streets 180
The Davies Memorial Parish School House. Erected 1889 182
The Rev. Samuel Buel, S.T.D 194
Interior of the church that was erected 1834 196
The rectory. Erected 1853. Sold 1880 214
The Rev. Philander K. Cady, S.T.D 216
The Rev. Henry L.Ziegenfuss, S.T.D 218
Easter decorations 1888. The last Easter in the second church 222
The southwest corner of the English burying-ground about
1884 244
The corner-stone and main entrance of the present church . 248
The tower. Erected 1889. The gift of Mr. Albert Tower 250
Interior of the present church. From a photograph taken in
1910 252
The Rev. Samuel A. Weikert, A.M 254
The memorial service. May 29th, 1910 256
Out-of-door popular service, Sunday, October 2d, 1910 258
The Albert Tower, Jr., Memorial Rectory. Erected 1903.
The gift of Mr. A. Edward Tower 260
X
PART I
VIEW OF THE PRESENT CHURCH BUILDING
From the northeast
Copyright, 1910, Frank B. Howard
PART I, 1755-1810
CHAPTER I
1755-1762
THE VISITS TO DUTCHESS COUNTY OF THE REV. SAMUEL
SEABURY, MISSIONARY FROM THE VENERABLE SOCIETY
FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN
PARTS.
IN 1755 the Rev. Samuel Seabury, Rector of St.
George's Church, Hempstead, Long Island, made a
missionary journey into Dutchess County. He
came in response to an invitation from some of the
members of the Church of England who were residents
here, and who were anxious for the services of their
Church from which they were cut off.
The visit occurred in November, as, upon his return to
Hempstead, he entered upon the parish register of St.
George's that, on November 1st, 2d and 3d, he had
baptized "at Fishkill" one adult and ten children. Mr.
Seabury gave an account of this visit to the Venerable
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and the
records^ of the Society, on file in their London oflSce, thus
refer to it: "The Rev. Mr. Seabury, the Society's
Missionary at Hempstead in Long Island, writes, by his
letter dated April 19, 1756, that his parish in general is
in a good state, &, at the request of the people of Dutchess
(Duchess) County (80 miles from Hempstead) he made
them a visit, and staid six days, & preached four times to
large assemblies; it is a country of a large extent, con-
1 S. P. G. Annual Report, February, 1757, pp. 48, 49.
1
The Records ofChrist Church
taining about 10,000 souls, with only one Dutch Minis-
ter, one Presbyterian or Independent Minister, & one
Quaker's Meeting but that little attended; & many of
the people desired him to recommend them to the chari-
table care of the Society, & assured him they would
purchase a Glebe and build a Church, could they be
assisted in the support of a minister; & there are also a
great many Germans among them, who are averse to the
joining themselves to any other Communion than that
of the Church of England; in consideration of all which
the Society hath directed Mr. Seabury to take these
poor people under his care, & to do them what good
services he can at present, consistent with his more
peculiar care, & when they have built a Church &
purchased a Glebe, as they promise, the Society propose
to send a Missionary to them."
Mr. Seabury thus became Missionary to Dutchess
County, by appointment of the S. P. G., in 1756.
Under this commission he came again, in June, 1757,
recording, later, at Hempstead, the baptisms of six
children "at Fishkill" on June 26th and 27th, and of one
child, June 29th, "at Philipse's Manor."
About this time the substance of the letter he had
written on April 19th, 1756, to the S. P. G., became known
in Dutchess County. Exception to it was taken, and
there was published (anonymously) a pamphlet entitled
A Letter from a Gentleman to his Friend in Dutchess
County. The chief objections raised in this pamphlet
were to Mr. Seabury's statement that it was at the re-
quest of the people in Dutchess County he had visited
them; to his statistics regarding the population of the
county; and to his account of the friendly attitude of
the Germans toward the Church of England. The
2
The Records of C hr i s t Church
anonymous writer said Mr. Seabury had visited "only
in Rombout," implying he could not be well informed
about the county in general.
Before replying to this attack upon him, Mr. Seabury,
in March, 1759, made another journey to Dutchess,
taking care not to visit "only in Rombout." His
record of baptisms shows that March 16th he was "at
Poughkeepsie," March 18th "at Fishkill," March 19th
"at Rombout Precinct," and "at Bateman's Precinct"
the same day.
Returning home he wrote a letter, dated Hempstead,
March 30th, 1759, replying to his unknown critic, which
he printed in pamphlet form. Two copies of this pam-
phlet are known to be in existence, one in the library of
Trinity College, Hartford, the other owned by Mr.
Seabury's descendant, the Rev. Dr. William J. Seabury,
of the General Theological Seminary, New York City.
The title-page declares it to be A Modest Reply to A
Letter From a Gentleman to his Friend in Dutchess County
Lately published by an anon-i-mous writer. By Samuel
Seabury, A.M., Missionary from the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. New York.
Printed in the Year MDCCLIX.
After reprinting the anonymous letter in full, Mr.
Seabury made answer to it point by point. He said his
authority for his statement of the number of other minis-
ters in Dutchess County he had thought good, and "is
assured the Gentleman, Bartholomew Noxon Esq., had
no design to impose on me. The subject of the Gentle-
man's Discourse with me was to convince me that
Dutchess County was a place proper to be recommended
to the charity of the Society. Upon this occasion the
Gentleman observed. That he verily beHeved, that if a
3
The Records ofChrist Church
Clergyman of Abilities, Modesty & Virtue could be
procured to officiate at stated Turns at the Fish-Kills,
Rombout Precinct, Poughkeepsie and that Part of the
Nine Partners, or Crom Elbow, bordering on the Fish-
Kills and Poughkeepsie, a considerable Church would
soon be gathered. And that from thence the Clergyman
would frequently have occasional Calls to sundry other
Places in the County."
Bartholomew Noxon, who, it thus appears, was
consulted by Mr. Seabury in 1755, was a Beekman man
of substantial property and standing. His father,
Thomas Noxon, was some-time Master of Trinity
School, New York City, and Bartholomew Noxon him-
self was a staunch Churchman; he owned a house in
Poughkeepsie, which he bequeathed by will to his son,
Dr. Robert Noxon, and which is now one of the oldest
houses standing in the city, being known as No. 81 and
No. 83 Market street, near the corner of Noxon. Bartholo-
mew Noxon's will also mentions his books on law and on
divinity, Bible, and Common Prayer Books.
Henry and Jacobus TerBoss of Rombout Precinct had
been Mr. Seabury's other informants upon the points
called in question by the anonymous letter. The popu-
lation of the county in 1755 had been represented to
him by these men as 10,000, which was a fairly close
guess to the figures of the official census of 1756,^ those
being 14,147.
In defence of his statement that he had visited Dutch-
ess County by request, Mr. Seabury reiterated that he
had been invited to come to Fishkill, and added, "my
invitation was signed by Messieurs John Bailey and
1 Documentary History of New York, Vol. 1, p. 696.
4
The Records oj Christ Church
Thomas Langdon Esqrs in their public character as
Church Wardens."
An interesting issue is raised in this last clause, the
question presenting itself, when, and by whom, were
these "Church Wardens" appointed?
September 22d, 1693, the General Assembly of the
Colony of New York passed an act entitled^ An Act for
Settling a Ministry, and Raising a Maintenance for them
in the City of New York, County of Richmond, West-
chester and Queen's County, which provided for six
"Protestant" ministers, who were to be supported by
the tithes of the people. One was to be appointed in
New York City, one in Richmond County, two in West-
chester, and two in Queen's County. The passing of
this Act was an attempt on the part of the English
administration of the colony to "establish" the Church
of England in New York, the Governor claiming, after
it was passed, that, under the Crown, he had no legal
right to appoint any ministers but those of the State
Church in England. In its actual workings the law was
attended by much opposition, and by many difficulties
and complications. The injury thus done to the Church,
by inflaming against it the minds of the Dutch and
English Presbyterians, was considered so great that an
effort was finally made in 17692 ^q repeal the Act. The
Assembly bill for this purpose failed on a technicality,
but the War of the Revolution soon accomplished the
result intended by the bill.
The Act of 1693 provided for an established ministry
in four counties, where wardens and vestrymen were
1 Ecclesiastical Records of the State of New York, pub. 1901 by
the State, Vol. 2, p. 1076.
2 Dix: History of Trinity Parish, Vol. 1, p. 325.
5
The Records of C hr i s t Church
to be regularly elected, and tithes collected. There is
no evidence that it was ever extended to cover Dutchess
County, and it is diflBcult to conceive of its require-
ments in regard to tithes being complied with in this
community, composed, as then, of Friends and Pres-
byterians.
Hence, it is hardly to be supposed that Mr. Seabury's
invitation was extended under the operation of the
Ministry Act. If some members of the Church of
England met, and appointed two of their number
"Church Wardens," whom they authorized to communi-
cate with Mr. Seabury, no account of such action has been
preserved, and its potency apparently ceased with the
delivery of the invitation, for Messrs. Bailey and Lang-
don are not again mentioned in connection with Church
affairs. On the other hand, something of this kind must
have occurred, if Mr. Seabury's statement is strictly
accurate.
Proceeding in his argument, Mr. Seabury said: "The
places proposed for settling the Church are Rombout,
Poughkeepsie, and the South Part of Crom Elbow pre-
cincts. * * * So great is the Encouragement for the
settling of a Minister of the Church of England to serve
in those places above mentioned & on the Borders of
Beekman's and Philipse's Precincts, that not less than
103 Persons, ten of whom only are single, have already
subscribed for the Building of a Church for the Worship
of God according to the Liturgy of the Church of Eng-
land. * * * The Gentleman (Judge Terbus) who has the
Care of the Subscription, assured me that he made no
doubt but that there were Fifty more in those Places, to
whom a Church might be set convenient, that would
subscribe; exclusive of Poughkeepsie and Crom Elbow
6
The Records oj Chr i s t Church
where the subscription had not been offered, but had
been promised Encouragement by Persons of the best
Credit and Influence; where, 'tis presumed, from the
promised Encouragement, there will be not less than 100
more subscribers. And tho' I would not insinuate that
all these Subscribers are Professors of the Church of
England, yet it is certain that many of them are so, and
sundrys of them are removed here from Hamstead, and
all of them are Friends to the Church and see the
Necessity of encouraging it."
The date of the opening of the subscription, to which
Mr. Seabury refers, is not mentioned in his pamphlet,
but the Rev. Dr. Ladd, in his Founding of the Episcopal
Church in Dutchess County, New York, says it was
first offered in 1756. The circulation of this subscrip-
tion is the basis for the statement on the memorial tablet
placed upon Trinity Church, Fishkill Village, that that
parish was "organized" in 1756. In the light of Mr.
Seabury's letters, all through the period of his connection
with Dutchess County, the weight of sentiment, only,
can be attached to this, for "organization," historically
and literally considered, did not take place in the county
until 1766.
Mr. Seabury made more and longer visits in Rombout
Precinct than in other portions of the county, and it is
evident a cordial welcome was given him there, for he
speaks at length in his pamphlet of the crowded audien-
ces to which he preached. His services were held in pri-
vate houses and in the Dutch church at Fishkill Village.
Mr. Seabury's commission from the S. P. G. in 1756 was
as Missionary to the whole county, however, and his
reports to the Society, combined with his entries upon
the register of St. George's parish at Hempstead, afford
7
The Records oj Christ Church
a record of the dates of his six visits to this field. Briefly
tabulated they occurred:
1755, November 1,2, 3, "at Fishkill."
1757, June 26, 27, "at FishkUl."
June 29, "at Philipse's Manor."
1759, March 16, "atPoughkeepsie."
March 18, "at Fishkill."
March 19, "at Rumbout Precinct."
March 19, "at Bateman's Precinct."
1760, June 19, "at Nine Partners."
1760, November 2, "at Fishkill."
November 4, "at Beekman Precinct."
November 5, "at Rombout."
November 6, 7, 8, 9, "at Crum Elbow."
November 11, "at Philipse's Manor."
1762, June 6, 7, "at Fishkill."
June 9, "at Beekman Precinct.'*
June 10, 11, "at Fishkill."
June 13, "at Nine Partners."
June 14, "at Rombout."
The archives of the Society foj* the Propagation of the
Gospel contain reports from Mr. Seabury on these visits,
which evidence his faithful labor to extend the Church.
April 28th, 1760, in a letter on file in London, he said, "I
have made a visit to Dutchess County where I had the
pleasure of being kindly received by a great number of
people, many of which I believe would long ere now have
joyned in erecting a Church and qualifying themselves
for a Mission had it not been that they have been exposed
to great expenses in the present day." These great
expenses were probably incident to the campaign about
Lake George, which had just occurred, and to which
Dutchess County contributed many men.
Mr. Seabury made two visits in 1760, after the above
was written, and on March 25th, 1761, wrote again, saying,
8
The Records of Christ Church
*'I have also visited Dutchess County Since my last, &
on Sunday November 2d last I preached in the Dutch
Church in Fish Kills to a more numerous assembly, both
morning & evening, than had ever attended me there at
any one time before, & on the Tuesday following I
preached at Beekman's precinct in said County about 12
miles distant from Fish Kills, & on the Thursday &
Sunday following I preached at Crom Elbow in sd
County 20 miles from Fish Kills, & at the several places
in said County I baptized 38 children & 5 adults.
"There is a great disposition among the people in
Dutchess County to have the established Church fixed
among them; but the friends of Church, in common with
their neighbors, having been very much scattered in
their situation from one another, it is hard to come to a
resolution with regard to the place to fix the Church on;
However being convinced that many have improved in
Christian knowledge & in Christian tempers & Disposi-
tion I shall continue to visit them, if it please God to
preserve my health, according to the directions of the
Society."
The difficulty to reach a decision regarding the loca-
tion of a church continued. September 30th, 1762, Mr.
Seabury reported to the Society:** Since my last I have
made a journey into Dutchess County where I preached
two Sundays to very Crowded assemblys And three
Week Days in Different parts of the County And
baptized one Adult and thirty-three children. The
County being very extensive & the people Devoted to
the Established Church Living in Different precincts, the
Difficulty of Reconciling them to one place for fixing a
Church I believe to be the Reason they have not yet
begun that necessary work."
9
The Records of Christ Church
His last mention of his work here is under date of
March 26th, 1764: "It is now the 2d year since I visited
Dutches County, where the harvest is Great, and where
I intend, God willing, to make another visit, & where I
hope the Society will Send Some very pious young
Clergyman to make them a Tender of his service. Even
though they Should not Qualify themselves for a Mission
According to the Rules of the Society."
One hundred and eight baptisms (nine adults and
ninety-nine children) were recorded by Mr. Seabury at
Hempstead as the result of his ministrations in Dutchess
County. Among these are to be found few family names
that were afterward identified with the Church of Eng-
land in Dutchess, or even associated with the
county in other ways. The few exceptions are those of
Southard at Fishkill, Crannell at Poughkeepsie, Carman
and Noxon of Beekman and Germond and Beadle of
Crom Elbow. ''
The Southards and Carmans and Germonds were
Hempstead people (the Germonds originally, and pro-
perly, Germaine), and had belonged to St. George's
parish. St. George's register mentions, beside these, the
families of Baldwin (Balding), Losee, Cornell and
Kelsey, representatives of each of which settled in Dutch-
ess.
Travelling conditions, in the years when Mr. Seabury
went back and forth between Long Island and Dutchess
County, were diflficult and fatiguing; the journeys were
on horseback, and the roads were few and heavy; the
stops were at private houses, in most of which the plane
of living must have been primitive. Communication
between the several settlements was infrequent and
events were few, so that the coming of the Missionary
10
The Records oj Christ Church
into each section was a matter of absorbing interest to
the sparsely peopled neighborhoods.
Mr. Seabury's message was of the evangelical preach-
ing type. Not but that he drew a clear distinction
between the Church of England and other religious
bodies, for he was a convinced Churchman, but his
method of reaching the people, to whom he had been
sent to minister, seemed confined to preaching sermons
and baptizing. Nothing is said of the celebration of the
Communion.
In organization of the scattered inhabitants of Dutch-
ess County who belonged to the Church of England,
Mr. Seabury accomplished little or nothing. This was
primarily due to the fact that he already had the charge
of St. George's, Hempstead, and was not free to give the
amount of time necessary to effect an organization in the
face of such adverse circumstances as existed.
He was a man of spiritual zeal and consecration, who
ministered faithfully to the souls in his care, but it
remained for another to build on his foundations the
organized body of the Church of England in Dutchess
County.
11
CHAPTER II
the rectorate of the rev. john beardsley. the pur-
chase of the glebe. the charter of incorpora-
tion, the erection of the first church building,
the removal of the rector by order of the coun-
cil of safety. names of contributors to the rec-
tor's salary, 1766-1775.
SAMUEL SEABURY came to Dutchess County for
the last time in June, 1762. Not long after, his
health failed and he died June 15th, 1764.
Meanwhile the need for a resident missionary in the
county had begun to be more generally realized. The
President of King's College, New York, Dr. Samuel
Johnson, wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury on
July 25th, 1759: "The next thing is to give your Grace an
account of those places where Ministers are wanted.
And here, I beg leave first to mention a great part of this
province; I mean all. that tract on the East side of
Hudson's River, from West Chester upwards, quite as
far as we have any settlements, abounding with people,
but almost destitute of Ministers of any denomination."
"Next above" West Chester "is Dutchess County, a
large tract which Mr. Seabury represented, where there
is the greatest need of a Mission. Indeed in this, with
the Mannours and Frontiers above, part of the County
of Albany, there is large and laborious work for at least
two Missionaries: And I have two or three hopeful
Candidates under my direction, and are within a year
12
The Records ojChrist Church
or two of age for orders, who I hope may be provided for
in these places."^
These "hopeful Candidates," whom Dr. Johnson had
under direction in 1759, may very well have included
John Beardsley, a student at King's, who, early in 1761,
went to England, in company with Thomas Davies and
Samuel Andrews, to be ordained. Returning to America
in 1762, John Beardsley assumed the charge of the par-
ishes at Norwich and Groton, Connecticut, in fulfillment
of a promise made by him to that end in 1760.
The pledges made to him, however, by the people of
those places, were not equally well kept, as their sub-
scriptions toward his salary soon lapsed.
Being a man of restless energy and much executive
ability, he set about creating for himself a new field of
labor. Knowing of the opening in Dutchess County,
New York, for a Church of England clergyman (possibly
through Dr. Johnson, as suggested), he came from
Connecticut to investigate it for himself. In the two
years and a half between the spring of 1762 and the
autumn of 1764, he journeyed here six times. Septem-
ber 26th, 1764, he wrote to the Society for the Propaga-
tion of the Gospel, reporting his visits, of which letter
the Society made note: "Mr. Beardsley has within these
three years, with the consent of his people, made six
visits to Dutchess County in New York Province, at 120
miles distant from Groton, preached to crowded audi-
ences in various parts of that extensive County, and
baptized more adults and infants than in his own
Mission. The number of communicants among them is
considerable, who greatly lament the want of an In-
1 Documents relating to the Colonial History of New York, Vol, 7,
pp. 396-398.
13
The Records ofChrist Church
cumbent. They have set about building a Church and
are determined to procure 100 acres of land for a Glebe,
a decent House & a title of £30.0.0 sterling, in hopes
the Society will be pleased to consider them.''^
During 1765 Mr. Beardsley must have worked in-
dustriously to arouse the interest of the Churchmen of
Dutchess and to band them together for a decided step
forward, for, early in 1766, he succeeded in raising a
suflficient sum to guarantee the purchase of a glebe,
and thus to obtain the cooperation of the Venerable
Society in the erection of a mission.
A torn fragment of the original subscription paper has
survived the changes and chances of a hundred and forty-
odd years. It bears a few of the signatures, and, for-
tunately, untorn and unfaded, the date stands out
conspicuously, — April y^ 2 , 1766.
These few names and also those which were on the lost
portion of the document are all preserved in a manuscript
volume, Accompts of the Glebe for Poughkeepsie, and
are important and interesting to Christ Church:
Abner Armstrong
£ 4. 0.
Eli Emons
?
Isaac Baldwin
6. 0.
John Emons
?
John Beardsley
3. 0.
William Emott
£ 1.
0.
Daniel Cooke
1. 0.
Clear Everitt
8.
Ebenezer Cooper
.10.
John F (el ton?)
1.
0.
John Coapman
1.10.
Zachariah Ferdon
4.
0.
Bartholomew Crannell 12. 10.
Jacob Ferdon
2.
0.
Charles Crooke
10. 0.
John Ferdon
4.
0.
Richard Davis
8.00.
Johannes Ferdon
7.
0.
John Davis
2. 0.
William Forman
8.
Thomas Dearing ]
1. 0.
John Frear
4.
Jacobus Depeyster
6.10.
Peter Harris
10.
0.
Lewis Du Bois
.10.
Peter Heyser
16.
Thomas Dvmcan
1. 0.
WiUiam Jecox
1.
0.
1 S. p. G. Journal, No. 16, p. 268.
14
The Records oj Christ Church
Moss Kent
£ 2. 0.
Benjamin Payn
£ .
16.
Peter Lausing
1.10.
John M. Retsey
1.
0.
Johannes P. Lausing
1. 0.
Daniel Roberts
10.
0.
William Lausing
1. 0.
Henry Sands
1.
0.
Peter A. Lausing
.16.
George Sands
16.
Johannes Lausing
15.
Maurice Smith
1.
4.
James Livingston
15. 0.
Samuel Smith
2.
0.
Gilbert Livingston
2. 0.
Richard Snedeker
5.
0.
John Lovett
1.10.
Thomas Stuart
1.
0.
William Ludlow
1. 0.
Hannah Ten Broeck
2.
0.
Johannes Medler
3. 0.
William Terry
3.
7.
11
Aaron Medler
1.10.
Robert Thompson
1.
0.
Henry Metcalf
3. 0.
Richard Vandeburgh
1.
0.
Malcolm Morrison
1.16.
Henry Vandeburgh
5.
Matias Moss
5. 0.
Balthus Van Kleeck
2.
0.
John Neill
.16.
Leonard Van Kleeck
5.
0.
John Neilson
2. 0.
Lawrence Van Kleeck
2.
0.
Theophilus Neilson
2. 0.
Lawrence B. VanKleeck 2.
0.
"From Nine Partners'
' 19. 0.
Myndert Van Kleeck
1.
0.
Peter Parmenter
.10.
Richard Warner
2.
0.
With a subscription for a glebe at last successfully
circulated it was possible to make a definite application
for aid to the Society, which had made the purchase of a
glebe a condition precedent to their financial help. A
letter was therefore written, which is now on file in
London, and which clearly sets forth the local situation -}
Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County
Province of New York in America
April 10th, 1766.
Reverend Sir
We, the professors of the Church of England in Dutchess
County, beg leave to Liform you, and desire it may be Repre-
sented to the Venerable Society for propagating the Gospel in
foreign parts of which you are Secretary, That this County is
1 The editor has paragraphed and punctuated all old manuscripts
at her discretion, to render them easily intelligible. Words and spell-
ing have been followed with exactness.
15
The Records ofChrist Church
in extent along Hudson River upwards of Sixty miles and in
breadth about Twenty miles, and tho very full of Inhabitants,
improving slowly under low circumstances, yet the number of
Churchmen, interspersed through the county without any
regular church, is small in comparison of the Great Number
and Variety of Sectaries in the County.
That the late Reverend and Worthy Mr. Samuel Seabury,
for many years of the latter part of his days took much pains
to unite the professors of the Church in raising a support for
and settling a ministry in some parts of this County, and tho, in
his life time, his pious Designs did not take their fuU effect,
Occasioned by the poverty of the people and their being set-
tled widely apart from each other. Yet we trust that, thro
divine providence, the good purpose planned by Mr. Seabury
will, under the protection and aid of the Venerable Society, be
at last perfected.
That we have, after many ineffectual attempts. Raised a
sum of money suflBcient to purchase a handsome Glebe, and
will raise Sixty Pounds, this currency, annually, for the sup-
port of a minister of the Church, to Officiate in four Different
precincts alternately; these precincts take in a tract about
twenty miles in breadth and, tho it will be not only very La-
borious but also very Expensive to a missionary to Officiate
at four churches so far distant from each other, yet the Rever-
end Mr. Beardsley, Missionary at Groton in Connecticut, has
since Mr. Seabury's death Occasionally Visited and preached
among us, and has promised that, with the approbation and
consent of the Venerable Society, he will accept our call and
Officiate amongst us.
Wherefore, we most earnestly entreat of the Venerable So-
ciety that they will consider our present circumstances, and
admit Mr. Beardsley to accept our call, and give us such aid
and asistance as may, with what we raise, enable the Mission-
ary to perform his Laborious and Expensive duty.
We wod further intimate to the Venerable Society that, be-
sides raising the sum necessary for the Glebe, we are wholly
destitute of Churches, which will be an additional expense to
us, and which we are determined to build as fast as we can af-
ter a Missionary (is?) settled among us; till we are able to do
which, we flatter ourselves we shall be permitted the use of
16
• The Records ojChrist Church
publick places of worship from the favour and countenance of
the Dutch Holland Churches.
We beg leave to conclude ourselves
the Societies and your
Most Obedient and
very Humble Servants
Daniel Roberts
Bartholomew Craimell
John Cooke
Charles LeRoux
Peter Harris •
William Humfrey
Joshua Carman.
To the Rev'd Dr. Daniel Burton.
Of the men who signed this letter, Roberts, Crannell
and Harris werp residents of Poughkeepsie, Cooke and
LeRoux of Rombout Precinct, and Humphrey and Car-
man of Beekman, and all had more or less to do with the
early affairs of the mission* Their letter was sent to
Dr. Auchmuty, in New York, Rector of Trinity, who
forwarded it to the Society on May 5th, under cover of
one from himself endorsing it. The proceedings of a
Board meeting of the S. P. G., held July 18th, 1766, record
the receipt of these communications. Dr. Auchmuty's
letter is there said to have enclosed "the Petition of the
Inhabitants of Poghkeepsie in Dutches County, where a
Clergyman is much wanted, (he) recommends them to
the Favour of the Society, and thinks Mr. Beardsley
might be usefully employed in this extensive County."
The petition was referred to a committee, which "agreed
to recommend to the Society to oblige the Inhabitants
of Poughkeepsie by appointing the Rev. Mr. Beardsley
to be Missionary in Dutchess County, provided they
furnish him with a good House & Glebe & till that can
be procured make him a suitable allowance instead
17
The Records ofChrist Church
thereof, & provided they execute & deposit a Bond in the
hands of Dr. Auehmuty for the performance of the same,
as well as the regular payment of their annual subscrip-
tion of £60 .0.0 per annum, their Currency. ' ' The Board
"Resolved, to agree with the Committee, provided it
shall appear upon enquiry that there are in this District
sufficient Number of Church People to make a Mission-
ary necessary here."
The unavoidable delay between the dispatch of the
petition in the spring and the receipt of a reply from
London (means of communication being what they
were at that time) chafed Mr. Beardsley's impatient
spirit, and at midsummer he addressed the Venerable
Society in his own behalf, setting forth the untoward
state of his charge in Connecticut, and enclosing a copy
of the Dutchess County petition, to emphasize the de-
sirability of the transfer of his station. The Society
made note on October 17th, 1766, of "a letter from the
Rev. Mr. Beardsley, Missionary at Groton & Norwich
in Connecticut, dated Groton, July 27, 1766, represent-
ing the necessity of his being removed on account of the
neglect of the People of Groton. Inclosed is a copy of
the Petition and engagements of the professors of the
Church of England in Dutchess County (the original
of which was laid before the Board in July last, & their
Petition granted upon certain conditions). To this
extensive and fatiguing cure Mr. Beardsley is desirous
to be removed, with such salary as the Society shall be
pleased to bestow, in addition to that which he has
heretofore enjoyed. Should the Petition of Dutchess
County not be granted, he is willing to go to Newburgh,
the Chh. Wardens and vestry of that Mission having
also applied to him. Agreed that Mr. Beardsley's
18
The Records oj Christ Church
salary in Dutchess County be £30. 0.0, to commence at
the time it ceases at his former Mission."
When notification reached Dutchess County of the
terms of the action taken by the Society on July 18th,
1766 (which stipulated for a bond, guaranteeing the
promise to purchase a glebe), there was held ''A Meeting
of the Members of the Church of England in Dutches
County the 26th of October, 1766."
Fought eep
sinck
Rumboutt
Beekmans
Charlott
Present Bartholomew CranneU, Peter Harris,
Johannes Ferdon, Johannes Ferdon, Jr., Jo-
hannes Medlaer and Charles Moss, for Pough-
keepsinek Precinct
Jacobus Terboss, Charles Leroux & Richard
Southerd
William Humfrey & Bartholomew Noxon
Henry Filkin, Nicolas DeLaVernge, Peter
Germond, John Germond & James Germond.
Haveing this Day
Executed a Bond to the Society, agreeable to
their proposal, for removing Mr. Beardsley
from Groton, and also an Agreement with Mr.
Beardsley to allow him forty shills a month be-
sides his Sallary til a House & Glebe be pro-
vided for him
voted that William Humfrey Esqr be a person
for Beekman's precinct to receive proposals
for Lands to be sold for a Glebe
Charles LeRoux for Rombout
Nicholas DeLavergne Esqr for Charlotte
Bartholomew Crannell for Poughkeepsie
That these persons Confer with Each other
upon proposals made, and that previous to an
absolute purchase to be made by them they
procure a General Meeting to approve
Voted that Mr. Noxon be a Clerk to transcribe
what shall be necessary concerning the General
Affairs of the Several Churches.
The bond to the Society, thus executed on October 26th,
19
The Records ofChrist Church
was deposited with Dr. Auchmuty, 'and the report of the
proceedings of the S. P. G. for 1766 states that "the
Society, being informed in a Letter from Dr. Auchmuty,
dated November 12th, that the People in Dutches
County chearfully comply with the Terms required of
them, & that there are already 80 Church Families in the
County, & many more expected, have agreed to estab-
lish a New Mission at Poughkeepsie & consented to Mr.
Beardsley's removal thither."
Mr. Noxon, who had been appointed clerk to the four
congregations, made note that:
1766 Decern 21st Mr. Beardsley entered into the service of
the Churches agreeable to his Call by Divine
Service & preaching at the House of William
Luke 2:32 Humfrey Esqr.
Mr. Beardsley's first service in his new mission was
therefore held in Beekman Precinct, as William Hum-
phrey, a prominent resident there, lived a half mile west
of the hamlet of Beekmanville and about a mile from
Sylvan Lake, a point about equally distant from each of
the other three congregations, representatives of which
assembled to hear his sermon from the text, " A light to
lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."
His first service at Poughkeepsie was held four days
later, being Christmas Day, 1766.
Pending the purchase of a glebe, a house (the location
of which is not known) was rented for Mr. Beardsley.
Bartholomew Noxon states that "1767 9th Feb Mr.
Beardsley set out for Groton in order to fetch up his
family & returned again ye 5th March following, preach-
ed at Poughkeepsinck 8th Do. so that the other 3 pre-
cincts lost each one Sabbath service."
Upon his return from Groton, Mr. Beardsley consider-
20
The Records of Christ Church
ed it necessary to augment the amount of the subscrip-
tion for the purchase of a glebe, and, on March 25th,
secured pledges aggregating £45 .15.0 from twenty-two
members of the Dutch Reformed congregation, one
third of the amount coming from James Livingston.
The preamble to the list of these contributions states
that the contributors were "disposed to promote the
Pious and Religious designs of the members of the Church
of England at Poughkeepsie." As will be seen through-
out this narrative, the inter-relations of these two con-
gregations, the Dutch and English, are quite remarkable
in their closeness and comity.
The conclusion of the purchase of a glebe now pressed
for attention. At once, the old obstacle to progress, the
choice of location, arose, and a discussion was precipi-
tated which produced results of deep and far reaching
influence. Two of those who were intimately associated
with all the events of this period wrote accounts of the
same. These men were William Emott and John Davis.
William Emott was descended from one of the patent-
ees of the Nine Partners Patent in Dutchess County, and
his family had for many years belonged to Trinity
Church, New York. He had come to Poughkeepsie as a
young man, married here, and, through a long life,
continued an active interest in the Church and in public
affairs. He described himself in a deed as "saddler," a
business of some extent at the time. In later years he
was called "Squire" Emott, the title Esquire accom-
panying the oflBce of a Justice of the Peace, which oflSce
he long held. He lived on what is now the southwest
corner of Main and Hamilton streets. To him, the
present generation is indebted for a vast amount of de-
tailed information regarding Christ Church from 1766
21
The Records ofChrist Church
down, perhaps, to 1810. He was a member of the vestry
1773-1805, was secretary six years, and for thirty-seven
years was treasurer of the Corporation, and, being inde-
fatigable with his pen, he wrote at length upon the
parochial affairs. His comments were often caustic and
were made without reserve, and it is quite possible that
they were thus sometimes unnecessarily irritating.
In this respect there is a contrast between him and
John Davis, who, also, contributed largely to the parish
archives. Davis did not blink facts and was accurate
and businesslike, but his manner was more pacific.
Like Emott, he was associated with Christ Church from
Mr. Beardsley's arrival to his own death, some fifty
years later.
The narratives of how the decision about the glebe
was reached, as written first by John Davis, then by
William Emott, are as follows:
[When a Glebe was about to be purchased, places were to be
sought for, and representatives of the Churches were] to meet
on a certain day to determine which place to pm:chase. They
met accordingly on the day appointed, and the Fishkill people
held up a place which was Scituated in Rombouts precinct,
distance about seven miles from Fishkill Town, and eight or
nine from the Town of Poughkeepsie; the Inhabitants of
Poughkeepsie held up a place about one mile from the Town of
Poughkeepsie.
Upon which, debates arose between the parties about which
of the two was the properest place to purchase. The Fishkill
said that a Glebe purchased for two Congregations should be
Scituated nearly in the midway between the two Churches, and
urged strongly for purchasing the place they had in view.
On the contrary, the People of Poughkeepsie argued : that a
Glebe piu-chased for two Churches so far distant from each
other as these were, should be near one or the other of the
Churches, alledging that, if ever the Congregations should be
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers. No. 14.
22
The Records ojChrist Church
able so as to maintain a Minister separately, and should part,
that the Glebe so purchased would suit one of the Churches;
but, if purchased as desired by the Fishkill people, would suit
neither.
After much altercation on the matter, It was agreed to by
both parties that they should leave the affair to Mr. Beards-
ley, and the place he should Choose, should be the Glebe, and
should be purchased by both Congregations for that purpose,
with this proviso, that, if hereafter, it should so happen that
the Congregations separated, that that Congregation which
lay nearest the Glebe should have it, Refunding to the Other
the first purchase money.
Accordingly, Mr. Beardsley determined on the matter, and
Choose the place at Poughkeepsie, and it was accordingly pur-
chased for the two Congregations.
[Rev. John Beardsley], being^ a Missionary of the society for
propagating the gospel in foreign parts, came from Groton in
Connecticut to Fishkill about the year 1766 to establish a
mission, and, getting acquainted with Messrs. Cooke and
Laroux and others in that town, they entered zealously into
the measure.
The terms proposed were that a small Farm or Glebe should
be purchased for the use of the clergyman, with a salary of
£60. 0.0 pr annum, this being compHed with by one or more
congregations as he should agree to; the Society, on their
part, would furnish a Library, and Settel an anuity on the
mission of £35.0.0 Sterling.
The gentelmen of Fishkill, wishing to embrace this Opper-
tunity, made sutable exertions in their Vicinity.
But, not possessing resources competent to the Occasion,
with Mr. Beardsley's consent they sought for assistance from
the adjoining town of Poughkeepsie, who, with respect to
numbers or wealth were vastly inferior and might be Shook off
at a Convenient Season.
Under these impressions, Messrs. Crannell, Harris and Oth-
ers were resorted to, and some of the inhabitants of Poquage
and Nine Partners were induced to give their feeble aid.
These gentelmen held their meetings at Peter Harris's (now
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 35.
23
The Records of Christ Church
Ingrams) ■} the necessity of the ease obHdged them to form
a self -created Society; it was called a Vestry meeting of the
four Churches.
The first step was to agree where the Glebe should be pur-
chased, whether in Fishkill or Poughkeepsie.
The gentelmen from the first of these places, considering
themselves as principles, expected little opposition to having
it in their town and neighborhood.
Mr. Crannell, however, a Sharp Sighted man, took care to
make sutable impressions on the clergyman of the propriety of
making the purchase at Poughkeepsie. All this was Correct.
However, when the thing was to be settled at Harris's, the
one side advocated the purchase of a place near Mr. Cooke's;
the other, Ostrander's farm. After a lengthy and warm alter-
cation, in which neither of the parties would yield, they had
but one alternative, and pledged their honour to abide the de-
cision of Mr. Beardsley.
He, being called into the room, and not being suffered to
decline giving an Opinion, was in favour of Ostrander's Farm.
Mr. Cooke and his friends were much mortified at the par-
son's decision.
However, as they had committed themselves, they endeav-
ored to have a reconsideration, on the principle that Ostrander
farm would cost about a third more than the Fishkill Glebe and
contained fewer acres; that the Joint efforts of the intended
Churches might not be sufficient to raise the purchase money.
Mr. Beardsley was by some means induced to offer, if no bet-
ter plan could be devised, to take }4 of the Land, rather than
return to New England and abandon his present plan of a
Settelment in Dutchess County.
This silenced the opposition and subscriptions were set on
foot to purchase the Ostrander Farm.
From this period, Mr. Cooke and his friends reposed less
confidence in Mr. Beardsley, and a cordial intimacy on the
part of the Clergyman took place with Mr. Crannell, who,
from this moment, until the Grant and Charter was obtained
the 9th of March in the year 1773, might be considered the
dictator of every measure Relative to the Church affairs at
Poughkeepsie.
1 A map of 1798, State Engineer's office, Albany, shows this to
have been near the present Arlington P. O.
24
The Records ofChrisi Church
The Ostrander farm, which was advocated by Mr.
Crannell, and which was finally purchased August 1st,
1767, lay on the north side of what is now Main street,
Poughkeepsie, but which was then known as the Filkin-
town Road.
An effort to determine Mr. Crannell's reasons for the
strong opinions he held in this matter, which reasons
evidently held weight as arguments with Mr. Beardsley,
involves a comparison of the Precincts of Rombout and
Poughkeepsie at that day.
Rombout Precinct covered an area of eighty-five
thousand acres, including within its limits the present
townships of Fishkill, East Fishkill, Wappinger, the
westerly part of La Grange, and a strip in the southern
part of the present township of Poughkeepsie. At the
junction of the New York and Albany Post Road
with the road leading from the Hudson into the interior
of Rombout, a Dutch church had been erected very
early, and the tiny hamlet of Fishkill had grown about
it, but no commercial or business interests followed.
The road from the river into the interior ran on, past
this small cluster of dwellings near the church on the
corner, and through the section (since become the town-
ship of East Fishkill) then called Rombout. The heirs
of Francis Rombout, the original patentee, sold this
land in large individual holdings to well-to-do Dutch
families of Long Island, — Adriances, Brinckerhoffs,
Storms, Van Wycks, Van Voorhees, &c, &c., — so that, at
first, the inhabitants were rather widely separated from
each other, owing to the size of their farms. These same
valuable farms explain the endless intermarriages
between the few Dutch families owning them, among
whom it was desired to perpetuate the tenure of the land.
25
The Records of C hr i s t Church
The nearest approach to a settlement, in the vicinity of
these families, was around the Dutch church which they
built at Hopewell. In neighborhoods, such as either of
the above, there was small hope for a Church of Eng-
land mission.
Poughkeepsie Precinct was not comparable to Rom-
bout in its acreage, which was perhaps a quarter as
great. But an analysis of the records of the Board of
Supervisors of Dutchess County for 1766, the year of
Mr. Beardsley's settlement, suggests that other forces
were at work within it. For example, the total assess-
ment in each of these precincts, divided by the total
number of taxpayers, shows that the average assessment
per capita was very nearly the same in them, although
in Rombout the average number of acres, held by each
taxpayer, was more than double that of the average in
Poughkeepsie. Something beside agriculture was evi-
dently telling in Poughkeepsie.
That something is not far to seek. As has been
pointed out elsewhere, before now, the early location of
the Court House at Poughkeepsie determined the char-
acter of the development of the community. Until 1750,
the development was slow; thereafter it was steady and
evident. The court sessions attracted lawyers and
their clients, for whose accommodation inns were necessary ;
then tradesmen followed, and, some years before the Rev-
olution, the river landing and freighting business began.
Between 1756 and 1766 the number of taxpayers in
Poughkeepsie increased twenty-five per cent.
While Mr. Seabury and Mr. Beardsley had been made
warmly welcome at Fishkill, that little settlement did
not possess within itself the potentialities for growth
which were, even then, operating in Poughkeepsie.
26
The Records of C hr i s t Church
Bartholomew Crannell of Poughkeepsie was **a sharp
sighted man," said William Emott. He was a lawyer,
and would naturally have been alive to the influence upon
the place of his fraternity. The supposition that the
view of Poughkeepsie, just outlined, was held by him,
and by him presented to Mr. Beardsley, is to some ex-
tent supported by an incidental sentence in a letter Mr.
Beardsley wrote John Davis many years later, in which
he said he supposed the glebe must have risen very much
in value, lying, as it did, "so near ye heart of ye capital
of ye county." ^' ^
Mr. Crannell, originally a New York man, established
himself at the county seat of Dutchess to practise law,
soon after 1740. Beside his general practise, he acted
as Surrogate from 1752 to 1775, and was so called,
although a Probate Court was not organized here until
after the Revolution. But wills from all over the county
were proved before him, and taken to New York City
to be filed.2 In 1744,* he built his house (which stood
on the south side of Main street, about opposite the head
of Mill), and married Peter Van Kleeck's daughter,
Tryntje. He acquired a large tract of land on the north
side of Main street, to the east of which lay the farm he
recommended to the Church.
The property which was thus chosen for a glebe was
purchased of Gideon Ostrander. He had bought it in
1763 from Hendrick Ostrom, paying £100. 0.0 in cash,
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 8.
2 The red sandstone, colonial marker is still standing a few feet
east of the glebe-house, "1 mile from the Poughkeepsie Court House."
3 Collections New York Historical Society, Abstracts of Wills,
Vols. pub. 1895-1900.
4 Francis Filkin's Common Place Book, Court House, Pough-
keepsie.
27
The Records of C hr i s t Church
and giving a mortgage for £500 .0.0. August 1st, 1767,
he conveyed two-thirds of the farm to the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel for £400 .0.0. This deed is
not recorded in the County Clerk's office, but a copy of it
is among the parish papers. On the same day, he con-
veyed the remaining third of the property to John
Beardsley, "Clark," for £200.0.0., which deed Mr.
Beardsley had recorded in the Clerk's office, on May
12th, 1805.1
The extreme western portion of the glebe, thus con-
veyed to Mr. Beardsley, was always known as **the
twenty-three acre lot," and it occasioned, first and last,
an amount of difficulty out of all proportion to its size or
value. The correspondence and proceedings regarding it
are so voluminous that they are added at the close of this
volume as a section of the Appendix, it being impossible
to halt the action in each chapter to present all the de-
tails of such a complicated question.
The roots of the troubles which grew up over the title
to the glebe lay in the loose business methods of Mr.
Crannell and Mr. Beardsley. Upon this point William
Emott said:^ "There being very few churchmen at that
time in Poughkeepsie, Mr. Crannell and Mr. Beardsley
volunteered in managing the whole concern; they col-
lected the donation moneys, and made the purchase so
far as related to our Church. * * * It is further to be
remarked that Mr. Crannell and the parson continued
to direct the temporalities of the Church, with the assis-
tance of a nominal Vestry who kept no regular minutes
of their proceedings, until about 1772; during which
period they had the entire disposal of all money matters,
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 19, p. 174.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 28.
28
The Records ofChrist Church
and it is to be lamented that they never came forward,
after the Charter was obtained from the then govern-
ment, to explain the purchase of the Glebe and the pay-
ments. By which means their transactions for a number
of years are not well understood."
In another place Emott wrote^: "Mr. Crannell being
Counsellor and conveyancer, drew one deed for ^ to
the Society in England, and the other for }/s to Mr.
Beardsley. This policy was necessary to induce the
society to establish the mission, and to appease the
Fishkill gentelmen. Mr. Beardsley was at this time in
low circumstances, as is generally the case with young
professional men, and, having no connections to assist
him in pecuniary matters, it is conceived that his re-
ceiving a conveyance thro the management of Mr.
Crannell was merely a nominal thing, for he has never
condescended to inform the episcopal Corporation of any
payments made by him on the lot." Mr. Beardsley,
himself, said'- that "Mr. Crannell advanced a principal
part of Poughkeepsie's share, as well in payment for ye
old Glebe as for finishing ye house."
That Mr. Crannell should give generously to the
Church, and omit to keep an accurate account of his
expenditures, was not the aspect of the case which gave
rise to trouble. The trouble was caused by the manner
of Mr. Beardsley's acquirement of the twenty-three
acres, taken in connection with later events and political
changes, which brought about a veritable tangle with the
law.
Before the Church came into possession of the Ostrand-
er farm in August, 1767, the building of a house had been
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 35.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 8.
29
The Records ofChrist Church
begun upon it, and Mr. Crannell took up at once the
continuation and finishing of the work. Account books
and bills of the period show payments for building mate-
rials (bricks, lime, and heavy timber), from May to
November, 1767, and also for "brass knob latches,"
hinges, locks, glass and other sundries. This glebe-
house is still standing and in good repair, although
altered in some minor details. Within recent years, the
writer went over it, finding the original beams of garret
and cellar sound and strong and the "brass knob
latches" of 1767 still in use.
Simultaneously with the purchase of a glebe for the
Church of England clergyman, a movement was begun
at Poughkeepsie to build a school-house, "and appoint a
Master to teach the English language," a subscription
paper being opened on July 28th, 1767. This document,
and the others on the same subject, are found among
Christ Church papers for the reason that Richard Davis,
one of the most prominent members of the congregation,
was appointed a manager of the school, and apparently
had the custody of some of its records. The interesting
fact, which these papers witness, is the decline of the
influence of the Dutch language at this date, the sub-
scribers toward the purchase of a lot and the erection of
the school-house being fifty-seven in number, and the
major part of them members of the Dutch Reformed
Church.
They procured from Lewis DuBois, for "£10.0.0 in
cash and £90 . . in subscriptions," a lot in Poughkeep-
sie, forty-five feet broad in front and in rear, "and in
length the length of Abraham Buys's lot," bounded west
by the Post Road, north and east by land of Lewis
DuBois, and south by land of Robert Patten. This is
30
THE GLEBE-HOUSE
Erected 1767 Sold 1791
Occupied bj' the Rev. John Beardsley and by the Rev. Henry Van Dyck
The Records of Christ Church
the lot which, on the 1790 map of Poughkeepsie, is
marked "School," on what is now the southeast corner
of Market and Church streets. By the terms of the
subscription paper, the school-house was to be a frame
building, twenty-one by twenty-eight feet. The name of
the master does not appear, but it is easy to suggest the
possibility that Daniel Roberts, one of the leaders in the
English Church in its first few years of existence, might
have filled the post, inasmuch as he was a schoolmaster
in Poughkeepsie so early as 1754.^
Although the after-history of this school does not
form part of this narrative, it may not be out of place to
add that Richard Davis continued his association with it
so late as 1812. By that time, a lot on Church street
had been secured, on which the school was conducted;
the old building on Market street was disused for its
original purpose, the map of Poughkeepsie for 1799 show-
ing that it was occupied then as a "Clerk's Office."
While the affairs of the glebe and the school were
shaping at Poughkeepsie, the Churches at Beekman and
Nine Partners were gaining no ground.
The congregation of Beekman held a meeting on April
26th, 1767, and organized a vestry. William Humphrey
and Joshua Carman were elected wardens, and James
Van Der Burgh, Richard Cornell and Thomas Cornell
vestrymen. On May 1st, 1767, they paid to Peter
Harris of Poughkeepsie £25.0.0 "towards the payment
for a Glebe purchased for the Church of England," this
amount having been contributed in sums ranging from
£1.0.0 to £6.8.0 by Bartholomew Noxon, James
Van Der Burgh, William Humphrey, Joshua Carman,
Richard and Thomas Cornell and Samuel Osburn. On
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds. Liber 4, p. 147.
31
The Records oj Christ Church
May 1st, 1768, the vestry, above named, were reelected,
the election taking place at Mr. Humphrey's, but this is
the last heard of the Church at Beekman until 1774,
when it had disbanded.
The salary accounts of Christ Church reveal the fact
that, after December, 1768, the Church at Poughkeepsie
assumed the quota of the congregation at Nine Partners,
which thus, after two years' effort, lapsed out of existence.
By "Nine Partners" was meant the general vicinity of
which the hamlet of Washington Hollow now forms the
center,^ it being in that neighborhood that the families
of Germaine, Filkin, Beadle and De La Vergne lived, all
of whom were in some measure interested in the Church
of England.
In 1773 the vestry made formal note that the Rector
was giving half of his services to Christ Church, and
voted that his salary be paid annually, and that he also
be paid annually for "part services," the latter clause
probably referring to some portion of the quarter of his
time which would have been devoted to Beekman, had
that Church lived.
An effort was made in 1774, by the Poughkeepsie
vestry, to induce the Church at Fishkill to pay the Beek-
man share of the Rector's salary. In a letter dated
February 16th they said that r^ " the Vestry Considering
how Absolutely Necessary it is for the Security and
promotion of the Church here that their Clergyman be
secured in the payment of his full Salary, and Under-
standing that since Beekman's Precinct dismissed Mr.
Beardsley no proper security has been given him to
secure the payment to him of that Quarter, we Can't
1 The later Precinct of Charlotte included this section.
2 Appendix, Fishkill papers. No. 3.
32
The Records oj Christ Church
help mentioning this matter to you as a thing of moment;
we, on our parts, have made proper provition for the
Quota of the Nine Partners from the time of his dis-
mission from thence, and recommend to you to do the
same with Regard to the other. With the failure of one,
may deprive us both of a Clergyman, and be a means of
our being represented in an Unfavorable light to the
Venerable Society on whom we so much depend."
The Fishkill wardens, Daniel TerBoss and Richard
King, replied^ that they "would be heartily glad if it
were in their power to comply," but they conceived it to
be impossible for them to do so. A memorandum of
May 27th, 1775,^ speaks of the fact that Beekman's
quarter of the Rector's services was being given to
Fishkill, but that his salary for the same was unpaid.
The joint affairs of the four congregations were
summarily disposed of by the events at large of 1775, and
the quadrilateral arrangement was never again attempt-
ed.
With the purchase of a glebe accomplished, a glebe-
house built, and a school in existence for teaching Eng-
lish, the subject of importance which would naturally
have claimed attention next was the erection of a church
building. ■ But this was postponed by a delay that arose
from an unexpected source, which is succinctly described
by John Davis :^
"Adjoining to the Glebe lay a parcel of waste, uncul-
tivated land, in Common, then said to belong to the
Descendants of Myndert Harmanse, one of the Original
proprietors of the soil, and, according to the Deed of the
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 4.
2 Appendix, Fishkill papers. No. 6.
3 Appendix, Fishkill papers. No. 14.
The Records ojChrist Church
Glebe to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in foreign
parts, the Glebe had a right in it for pasture and wood.
"After some years the people of Poughkeepsie was
Informed that the land said to be Commons was like to
be Vacant Land, and that Mr. Leake had Petition (ed)
the Governor and Council for a patent for it; and it was
also said that the Title of all the Land in the patent,
under which the Glebe was held, was not good, and that
the Inhabitants living thereon were uneasy and wanted
a Confirmation for them.
"The members of the English Church in Poughkeepsie
then petition (ed) for part of the land then deemed
Vacant, and, in Order to have the Confirmation made
out, got Mr. Cockburn to survey and make a map of it.
"Mr. Beardsley, hearing that the Governor would con-
firm unto the Inhabitants, holding under Saunders and
Harmense, all the Lands they possessed, and knowing
that the deed of the Glebe did Intitle the Glebe to some
part of the Common Land, did, when Mr, Cockburn sur-
veyed the Glebe, git annexed to it a part of the said waste
land, and which was accordingly confirmed to and with
the Glebe; and then Governor and Council did give and
grant unto the Corporation of Christ Church in Pough-
keepsie Two Hundred acres of the said Vacant Land."
The patent referred to was granted in 1686 to Robert
Sanders and Myndert Harmense Van der Bogert, and
covered the middle and northern portions of the present
city of Poughkeepsie and its outskirts. It was drawn
up with such ambiguous description of boundaries that
William Emott said^ that "Governor Moore, in March
1768, determined Hermanses and Saunders patent was
intended to grant only 1,200 acres, instead of 12,000
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers. No. 33.
34
The Records ofChrist Church
acres," and that the Church was "justly alarmed at the
insufficiency of the title they had purchased under."
Further/ that "John Beardsley, Barth'w Crannell,
Isaac Balding & Richard Davis Signed a petition to
Gov'r Tryon 4 Oct'r 1771, Setting forth, in Substance,
that all the lands purchased of Ostrander was the Sole
property of the Church, & was, for want of Letters of
incorporation, held by Deeds of trust only, — to wit, a
Deed to the Society and also a deed to Mr. Beardsley;
all which is again contained in the Recitals in the Con-
firmation and Charter and other Documents. And this
same Mr. Beardsley, under the Counsel and direction of
Mr. Crannell, went to New York as Agent, and pre-
sented said petition, and attended to Business with the
utmost diligence, until he got it accomplished."
This petition was presented on December 31st, 1771,
and a favorable vote upon it was taken by the Governor
and Council May 19th, 1772,^ but ten months intervened
before the large parchment document (still in good
preservation with the seal attached) was made out.
It was passed February 17th,^ and, on March 9th, 1773,
signed by the Secretary of the Province.
Relieved of a burden of antiquated legal phraseology,
the simple provisions of the charter of Christ Church
stand revealed:
George the Third,
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting;
Whereas: — "The Reverend John Beardsley Clerk and
other Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie" presented to Governor
William Tyron, December 31st, 1771, a petition;
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 35.
2 Calendar of Council Minutes, Vol. 31, p. 12 (New York State
Library).
3 Ibid., p. 59.
35
The Records ofChrist Church
Petition set forth that "said inhabitants and those adjacent
in like Communion" had long been inconvenienced for want
of regular administration of divine service; they had some
time since procured the Rev. John Beardsley to be sent them
by the S.P.G. ; they had lately purchased a glebe of 87 acres,
part of the tract granted to Sanders and Harmense, but which,
for want of letters patent of incorporation was held by deeds
of trust, only;
Therefore: — petitioners asked for Royal charter of incor-
poration and Royal confirmation to their said corporate body
of title to the land, and a grant of a parcel of waste land, known
by number 68 and by appellation common, and bounded at
one end by said glebe.
On consideration of said petition, Council did, on May 19th
last past, vote to incorporate the petitioners, confirm the title
to the 87 acres bought as a glebe, and give title to 200 acres
of common adjoining.
Description of land ; 287 acres.
The petitioners corporate title to be "The Rector and In-
habitants of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County in Communion
of the Church of England as by Law Established."
The Corporation is capable of being party to suits at law,
and has power to buy and sell real estate, provided the yearly
value of the real estate (exclusive of the church building) does
not exceed £500.0.0.
The Corporation is to have one Rector, two wardens
and eight vestrymen.
The charter appoints as wardens Bartholomew Crannell
and Samuel Smith, and, as vestrymen, Richard Davis, John
Child, John Davis, John Ferdon Jr., John Medlar, Zachariah
Ferdon, Isaac Baldwin, Jr. and David Brooks.
The annual vestry election to be held on Tuesday in Easter
week. The election to be held at the church (when that has
been erected), after "at the least a week's notice thereof, by
publicly declaring the same after divine service in the Morn-
ing, on some Sunday not more than three weeks before the
time of election." The election to be by "the Voices of the
members of the Corporation hereby constituted."
In case of a vacancy, the Rector and wardens, or any two of
them, to appoint a day for an election to fill it; notice to be
given "immediately after divine service on some Sunday not
more than three weeks next preceding the day appointed."
36
The Records of Christ Church
Non-residents of Poughkeepsie, when members of the
Church of England, are ehgible to election to the vestry.
Royal order that a church building be erected in the Precinct
of Poughkeepsie as soon as possible, to be called Christ Church.
Provisions for vestry meetings.
Vestry empowered to transact the business of the Church,
and to make its own rules.
A record of proceedings to be kept.
The vestry has power to choose and change the Cor-
poration seal.
The Rector given sole power to appoint a clerk to assist hiTn
in performing divine service, and to appoint the sexton.
In case of vacancy in the Rectorship, the power to fill it vest-
ed in the wardens and a majority of the vestrymen.
The patronage of the Rectorship vested in the vestry.
Royal confirmation of title to 87 acres of glebe granted to
"The Rector and Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess
County, in Communion of the Church of England as by Law
Established."
Royal grant, to the same, of 200 acres "of common or waste
land, excepting all gold and silver mines and white pines fit
for masts for the Royal Navy.
Rent of two shillings, six pence, each hundered acres or part
thereof, to be paid at the Custom House in New York City,
aimually on the Feast of the Annunciation, commonly called
Lady Day.
If, within the ensuing three years, the Corporation fails to
plant and cultivate at least three acres for every fifty, of lands
here granted, the lands are forfeited and revert to the Crown.
The charter to be registered in the Secretary's office. New
York City, within six months from the date thereof.
Signed and sealed March 9th, 1773.
Mr. Beardsley reported to the Society for the Propaga-
tion of the Gospel:^
Poughkeepsie
26th October 1773
Rev'd Sir
permit me to acquaint the venerable Society that I have in
the year past baptized fifty nine white and two black Infants,
1 S. P. G. Records, Vol. 3, B, New York, Part II, 1759-1782.
37
The Records oj Christ Church
& four white adults; that the Church in this Mission is much
in the Same State as when I wrote last April, Slowly improving
imder low circumstances; and that I have drawn my Bill of
£17.10.0 Sterling in favour of Mr. Thomas Fisher, Merchant,
of New York.
We have, by a Smile of government, lately obtained a Char-
ter of Incorporation to our Chh at Poughkeepsie, with a grant
of Two Hundred Acres of waist Land nearly contiguous to the
old Glebe, which Lands (though at present of but Small value
being something rough & unimproved) wiU in Time Set us on
a respectable footing.
I am Rev'd Sir the venerable Society & your most obe-
dient & most
Humble
Servant
John Beardsley.
Hardly had the ink upon the charter dried, when
protest was raised by the Church at Fishkill that two
charters of incorporation, and two confirmations of
title to the glebe, had not been obtained.
It had been Mr. Beardsley's original intention to
procure two. On October 4th, 1771, he and the vestry
of Trinity Church (composed of Jacobus Terbos and
Joseph Green, wardens, and Zebulon Southard, Joseph
Cary, John Halstead and Thomas Pyre, vestrymen)
had filed a petition^ asking for incorporation, which the
Council voted,^ November 13th, 1771, should be granted.
Some one in the Secretary's oflBce at that time must
have been making money over red tape and the law's
delays, for the expense of getting business done through
that oflBce proved so great that Mr. Beardsley decided
two charters were beyond the financial reach of his con-
gregations. The statement, over his own signature, is
1 Calendar New York Historical Mss. (English), p. 797.
2 Calendar of Council Minutes, Vol. 29, p. 514, N. Y. State
Library.
38
The Records ofChrist Church
twice found^ that but one charter was gotten in order to
save the cost of two.
The land confirmed by the charter consisted of the
original glebe, which was owned jointly by the Pough-
keepsie and Fishkill Churches; the twenty-three acre
lot, which Mr. Beardsley held a deed for; and two hun-
dred acres of commons, a gift from the Crown.
At the first meeting held by the vestry of Christ
Church after the charter had been received, a resolu-
tion^ was passed, formally recognizing the claim of the
Fishkill Church to half of the original glebe. No men-
tion was made of the two hundred acres of commons,
which the Poughkeepsie vestry considered had been
given to their Church alone. Mr. Beardsley was present
at this meeting.
Correspondence took place between the two vestries
in 1773, 1774 and 1775, on this subject, which, with
related material of later date, is included in the Appendix
to this volume.
The vestry at Fishkill wished either of two things.
One, to receive from Christ Church a firmer guaranty to
them of their title, which had apparently been absorbed
under the charter; the other, that the glebe should be
sold and their share of the proceeds put out at interest
towards the Rector's support.
The vestry of Christ Church replied to the first that
they did not know what more of a guaranty they could
give than they had already in the resolution they had
passed; and to the second that, as the Fishkill vestry
had repudiated certain agreements made by their pred-
ecessors, on the ground that the latter "had not Suflfici-
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 8, & No. 23.
2 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 1.
39
The Records ofChrist Church
ent Authority to make Such an Agreement, So this
Board conceive the Same Objections may lay in future
to any agreement now to be made with their Brethren of
the Fish Kill Church by their present Representatives;
are therefore of Opinion nothing firm and lasting Can be
determined on till a Charter of Incorporation for the
Church at fish Kill be first Sued out and Established."^
It is noticeable that in this discussion, lasting two
years, and to which Mr. Beardsley was a party through-
out, there is no reference to the question, which arose
later, whether the two hundred acres of commons had
been granted to Christ Church only, or to Christ Church
and Trinity together.
The commencement of the War of the Revolution
closed the matter for the time being, leaving it in an
inconclusive state.
Trinity Church, Fishkill, had proceeded to the erec-
tion of a church building the year after Mr. Beardsley's
settlement. On September 30th, 1767, two months
after the acquirement of the glebe at Poughkeepsie, a
lot was bought^ "on the road leading to the Fishkill
Landing, near the Dutch church," on which was built the
substantial frame building that is still standing and in use.
After the Governor's Council had by vote confirmed
the title to the glebe, and the occasion for delay was
removed, Mr. Beardsley, with characteristic promptness,
did not wait for the charter to be signed, but opened a
subscription in behalf of the church building needed at
Poughkeepsie. Three of these subscription papers, all
dated January 1st, 1773, bear the names which have been
combined into the following single list :
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 6.
2 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 7, p. 251
40
The Records oj Christ Church
Isaac Balding £20. 0.0
Isaac Balding Jr. 5. 0.0
John Bard 15. o.O
John Bard Jr. 7.10.0
John Barns 5. o.O
William Barns 1. 0.0
John Beardsley 20. 0.0
AdamBergh . 8.0
Abraham Brinckerhoff 2. 0.0
David Brooks 3. 0.0
Caleb Carman 2.10.0
John Child 10. 0.0
Jacob Coapman . 6.0
Isaac Cole . 4.0
John Cooke 5. o.O
BartholomewCrannell 50. 0.0
Jane Crooke 10. 0.0
Richard Davis 50. 0.0
John Davis 15. o.O
Abraham Degraff . 2.0
Moses Degraff , 8.0
Johannes de Wit 1. 0.0
John Dorlon .16.0
Lewis Du Bois, "the Land
To Sett the Church on."
William Emott 5. 0.0
George Freligh . 8.0
John Halsted l. o.O
Joseph Harris 2. 0.0
Isaac Hegeman ,10.0
Robert Hoffman 2. 0.0
Jonas Kelsey 3. o.O
Simon Laroy . 6.0
Simon Laroy Jun 1.12.0
Peter Laroy .16.0
Mordecai Lester .16.0
Gilbert Livingston 3. 0.0
Philip J. Livingston 10. 0.0
Peter Low . 8.0
William Low . 8.0
John Low . 8.0
Henry Ludington .16.0
Peter Luyster £ . 4.0
C(?) Mancius 10, 0.0
Hendrick Hasten .10.0
Johannes Medler 5. 0.0
John Mott 8. 0.0
Samuel Mott 2. 0.0
Peter MuUin .12.0
Bartholomew Noxon 15. 0.0
James William Payne 25. 0.0
Henry S. Pells .16.0
Thomas Pinkney .8.0
Thomas Poole 5. 0.0
John Michael Richter 2.10.0
Benjamin Rosekrans . 8.0 -
James Rosekrans . 8.0 -
Henrj' Rosekrans . 6.0
John Schenck Jr. 1.10.0
Peter (Seaman?) . 8.0
Johannes Shear 1. 0.0
James Sheels l. o.O
John (Sitton?) 1,10,0
Abraham Sleight . 8.0
Samuel Smith, Boat-
i^ian 8. 0.0
Samuel Smith 5. o.O
Maurice Smith 5, o.O
John Smith .10.0
Benjamin Smith . 8.0
Peter Tappen 5. o.O
Edward Tredwell . 8.0
Margaret Van der Burgh 3. 0.0
John Van Den Burgh .16.0
Aswarus Van Kleeck 2. 0.0
Barent Van Kleeck . 8.0
John Van Kleeck .16.0
Peter B. VanKleeck 1. 0.0
Peter Van Kleeck 1. 5.0
Stephen Van Vorhees . 8.0
Baltus Velie .12,0
MyndertVelie 2. 0.0
John Watts . 5.0
Jacobes ( .? ) "paid in lambs."
1
The Records of C hr i s t Church
Lewis Du Bois, one of the larger land owners in Pough-
keepsie, who was long a contributor to the support of
Christ Church, presented the site for the building.
His deed^ to the Corporation describes the lot conveyed,
as situated in Poughkeepsie, on the Post Road, bounded
by the school-house lot on the south and by the land of
Jonas Kelsey on the north. Jonas Kelsey was Lewis
Du Bois's brother-in-law, and a life-long member of
Christ Church.
During the autumn of 1773, the foundation of the
church was laid, but it soon became evident that a larger
building fund was needed. Mr. Beardsley accordingly
went to New York and begged help from men prominent
in business and in the Church, who gave him substantial
encouragement for his up-country mission. The sub-
scription papers, bearing the signatures obtained during
this visit, are among the parish manuscripts, and read
like a roll call of old New York:
William (Astick?) £ 1. 1.0
George Ball 1- 0.0
Samuel Bard 1.12.0
Goldsboro Banyar 1.17.0
Gerald William
Beekman 1. 4.0
Henry Beekman 5. 0.0
Grove Bend 2. 0.0
Mrs. Anne Chambers 3. 5.0
Thomas Clerk's
wife .16.0
A Club 5. 0.0
JohnD. (Cremshew?) 1.0.0
Anake Crooke, "A
sett of Damask
Furniture for the
Desk and Pulpitt."
1 Christ Church Parish Mss.,
William Denning £ .10.0
Elias Desbrosses 5. 0.0
James Duane 3. 4.0
Thomas Duncan 1.12.0
James Emott 2. 6.0
Francis Filkin 5. 0.0
John Fisher 3. 4.0
Hugh Gaine 1.12.6
Peter Goelet 3. 5.0
Andrew Hammersley .16.0
Daniel Horsmanden
Esq. 2. 0.0
Samuel Jones 1. 0.0
Edward Leight 1.12.6
Captain Lawrence . 8.0
John Leake .16.3
Jacob Le Roy 2. 0.0
Papers of First Church, No. 4.
42
The Records ofChrist Church
Robert R. Livingston £lO. 0.0
Robert R. Livingston
Jr.
John Livingston
Abraham P. Lott
Gabriel William Lud
low
Wilham Henry Ludlow 1.12.6
George Duncan Lud-
low
George and William
Ludlow
Gabriel H. Ludlow
William Lupton
Mr. Marston
John McKisson
Abraham Mesier
Mesier & Schenck
Edward NicoIIs Jr.
Charles Nickalls
3. 4.0
2. 0.0
.12.0
3. 5.0
3. 5.0
3
4.0
3. 0.0
1. 0.0
2. 0.0
.16.0
.16.0
1.12.6
.16.3
1.10.0
Perry, Hays & Sher-
brooke £3. 5.0
Fred: Rhinelander . 8.0
James Rivington, "A Church
Com'n prayer book."
Richard Sanse . 8.0
Davis Seabury 1.10.0
Peter Stoutenburgh 2. 0.0
Ten Eyck & Seaman 1.12.6
John Thurman Jr. 1.12.6
A Person Unknown 30. 0.0
John Van Cortland 3. 4.0
Augustus Van Cortland 2. 0.0
3. 0.0
1. 0.0
.16.3
2. 0.0
. 8.0
.16.3
1. 1.8
Anthony Van Dam
John Vanderbilt
Jacob Van Vorhees
Henry White
Daniel H. W^ickham
John Wood
John Woodward
Scattered subscriptions were received in 1774 from
Churchmen and non-Churchmen at Poughkeepsie and
in various parts of Dutchess County. One of these
formed the first legacy ever received by this parish.
Charles Crooke, whose country home was the property,
near Hyde Park, that is now owned by Thomas Newbold,
belonged to a New York family that had been identified
with Trinity Church, and represented among its wardens
and vestrymen from 1697. Being a strong Churchman,
he was one of the earliest and largest contributors to
Christ Church, and when he made his will,^ April 25th,
1770, he left £25.0.0, "to be paid to the Church
Wardens toward building a Church." His will was
proved December 1st, 1772, and his widow, as executrix,
paid the legacy, the receipt of which the vestry of
1 Collections of the New York Historical Society, Vol. pub 1899
p. 76.
43
The Records ofChrist Church
Christ Church made note of in 1774. Among Charles
Crooke's descendants is a well defined tradition that all
the heavy timber, used in the construction of the church,
was felled in his woods and hauled to Poughkeepsie by
his oxen. This gift must have been made by his widow,
as he had died when the actual building of the church
was begun.
Among the other occasional subscriptions to the build-
ing fund were several from members of the Dutch Church,
including one from Dominie Hendricus Schoonmaker.
The alacrity with which the Dutch congregation joined
in all measures for the promotion of the English Church,
is traceable not only to the increasing use of the English
language, already referred to (and which caused the
resignation of Dominie Schoonmaker in 1774, he speaking
only Dutch), but to their own internal denominational
difficulties. The whole Dutch Reformed Church of
America was at this time shaken by a difference of opin-
ion upon the validity of ordination as conferred by the
assembly of ministers and elders known as "The Rever-
end Coetus of New York and New Jersey." The
"Coetus" party was opposed by the "Conferentie,"
which held it necessary for a candidate for the ministry
to go to Holland and be ordained by the Classis of
Amsterdam. From 1765 to 1774 the united Dutch
congregations of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill had two
pastors and two consistories, representing the warring
factions. The rival ministers preached in either place
on alternate Sundays, the dissenting party in each case
remaining away from the service.^ This divided condi-
tion, combined with the language consideration, turned
1 Van Gieson's History of the Dutch Church, Poughkeepsie, pp.
54-63.
44
The Records oj Christ Church
many to the English Church, some temporarily, some
permanently.
Mr. Beardsley wrote^ from Poughkeepsie to the secre-
tary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, on
April 26th, 1774:
Rev'd Sir
I beg leave to Inform the Honourable Society that we have
at length (through much diflSculty) collected by Subscriptions
in our own congregation and among our Christian Neighbors
(that) which we judge Sufficient to build us a Stone Church 40
by 53 feet in circumference. The Foundation was laid last
fall; the walls are now raising; and we expect it will be com-
pleated by the last of October.
If the Society woidd be pleased to bestow a Bible & Common
Prayer Book in our New Church (as we have none but what
I have provided at my own cost) I am persuaded no people
would be more grateful.
We have some time since received a like favour to the
Church at FishkiQ (a part of this Mission and fifteen miles
from hence), for which, & for all other favours, we shall ever
retain a deep sense of our obligations to the Society.
I have drawn my BUI of £17.10.0 Sterling in favour of
Mr. Jacob Watson, Merchant, at New York.
Since I wrote last I have baptized thirty two white & two
black Infants; and I am Rev'd Sir the honourable Society's
& your most
obedient
most humble
Servant
John Beardsley.
The Rector's hope that the church would be ready for
use by the autumn of 1774 was fulfilled. A consecration
service was held on Christmas Day that year, at which
the sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Provoost.
Mr. Provoost had been connected with Trinity
Parish, New York City, but the connection had been
1 Original letter on file in London.
45
The Records of C hr i s t Church
severed, and, in 1774, he was living in retirement with
his family near East Camp in the present Columbia
County, then a part of the County of Albany. During
his stay there, he occasionally visited the parishes at
Albany, Catskill, Hudson and Poughkeepsie, in which
way it occurred that he was invited to be the preacher
when Christ Church was consecrated.
The original manuscript of his sermon on this day was
presented to Christ Church in 1888 by James Grant
Wilson of New York. The text was taken from St.
Luke 7, verse 5, — ^"For he loveth our nation and he hath
built us a Synagogue." Imbedded in a long discourse
upon Old Testament ritual, combined with sundry moral
reflections, is one paragraph of local interest. It is
noticeable in that, that the eighteenth century was as
impressed with its own material conveniences and im-
provements as is this twentieth, teeming with its oft
quoted inventions and developments.
This Place, which less than two centuries ago was either a
Desolate Solitary waste, or Inhabited by savages, wild and
uncultivated as their Native Country, and immersed in the
most deplorable Idolatry and ignorance, is now covered with
Buildings, filled with Inhabitants who profess the purest of
Religions, and supplied with all the Comforts and conveniences
of Life. Indeed, the only want the members of this Congre-
gation have for some time labored under, has been that of a
place where they might perform the publick oflBces of their
Religion and pay their Devotions to God with decency and
order. This defect is now, at last, happily supplied by the care
and assiduity of their worthy pastor, and the generous Con-
tributions of the Benevolent and Devout; and it will be re-
membered to their honour that, whilst some have given out of
their abundance, others have spared out of their Industry.
All, I hope, have exerted their prayers and wishes for this
pious work.
Mr. Provoost's mention of gifts made to the Church
46
The Records of Christ Church
out of the industry of the donors, probably has reference
to the contributions of the "artificers and workmen" who
labored in the erection of the building, whose names are
contained in the treasurer's records, and of whom thir-
teen joined in subscribing the sum of £18.15.0.
The furnishings of the first church were modest to the
point of severity. Pews were not put in until after the
Revolution, and the congregation, who, in Mr. Provoost's
opinion, possessed "all the comforts and conveniences of
Life," must have occupied crude benches. At the east
end of the small oblong building was a high pulpit, and
before that a reading desk. A committee, consisting
of the Rector, Bartholomew Noxon, Richard Davis
and John Davis, had been appointed in June, 1774,
"to fix the Dementions of the Reading desk and pulpit,
and Send the Same to Gabriel William Ludlow in Order
to have the hangings Made for them." Mr. Ludlow's
wife was a daughter of Mrs. Ann Rutgers Crooke of New
York, who had promised the hangings. When these
were received, the vestry ordered "that the thanks of
this Corporation be given to Mrs. Anake Crooke for her
Generous Donation of a Elegant Set of Crimson Damask
hangings for the pulpit and desk in Christ Church in
Poughkeepsie." A remnant of this crimson damask,
framed, was lately given to Christ Church by Miss
Julia Crooke, and is now on the wall of the parish house.
The vestry also acknowledged with appreciation, in
1775, that there had been "Presented to Christ Church,
by John Moore, Esquire, of New York, a Silver Baker
for the Service of the Communion;" "by Mr. Gabriel
William Ludlow of New York, two Cups for the Com-
munion Service: and likewise a font for the use of the
Church;" "by Mr. John Crooke of New York a Table:
47
The Records ofChrist Church
Chair: Table Cloath and Napkin, for the Service of the
Communion."
This "Table for the Service of the Communion" is said,
by a tradition in the Crooke family, to have been one of
two, the mate to which is still in existence. The latter
is of the design known as a Chippendale card table,
which model was introduced about 1720 and went out
about 1780; it is of mahogany, with carved cabriole
legs and claw and ball feet; the two sections of the top
are hinged at the center, so that one half rests on the
other, or is leaned up against the wall, when the table is
not in use. The pair of tables were family pieces, and
there seems to have been no more hesitation on the part
of the Church to make use of the former card table for
sacred purposes than there was to purchase a "Tickett
in ye Kings Bridge Lottery for the Church in Poughkeep-
sie," which the treasurer's records show was done, or
than to take a negro man in part payment of a debt,
which occurred a few years later.
James Rivington of New York donated "A Church
Com'n prayer book," and the "Great Bible" was one
presented by the Free Masons to Mr. Beardsley, person-
ally, which he afterward gave to the Church.^ One
surplice was owned, the linen for which was contributed
by Captain Peter Harris, and its making by Mrs.
Beardsley.2 It is referred to as the "surplus," "Supplus,"
and "Surplush," in the account books, an annual item
for its laundering being gravely entered.
That the church was consecrated before it was entirely
finished, and that the completion of the work again
exceeded the abilities of the congregation, is evidenced
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 8, No. 10, No. 16.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 16.
48
The' Records ofChrist Church
by two facts. On January 17th, 1775, Bartholomew
Crannell, Richard Davis, and John Davis "Advanced for
the Use of the Church the Sum of £200.0.0.," which
was applied to that end; and, in April ensuing, £12 .12.3
was received from seventeen "of our Christian friends on
Long Island," members of the Church of England, at
Hempstead, for "finishing" the church.
Plain as was this building, its heavy cost was entailed '
by its substantial quality. It was of brick, with stone
trimmings, and its walls were two feet thick of the most
solid masonry possible. When it was razed in 1833, a
young girl, watching the workmen, saw the difficulty
with which they demolished the walls, and afterwards
bore testimony to this eflfect to her daughter, now living.
Fortunate it was for this parish that it succeeded in
building the church before the storm of the Revolution
broke The burden it carried was heavy during and
after the war, and had the need for a church been added,
the recuperation of the congregation would have been
even slower than it was.
No hint of political disturbances is seen in the Vestry
Minutes until June 29th, 1776, that"being the day of one
of the stated meetings of the Vestry, but the confused
State of the County prevented Vestry from meeting."
Two weeks later, July 13th, 1776, "At a Vestry held
to Consider of the Rector's Stoping Divine Service in the
Church (In Consequence of Independancy being De-
clared by the Continental Congress) Until the Vestry
Can hear from the Vestry of New York. Taken the
above Affair in Consideration Resolved that the Rector
do from this time Stop all Divine Service in the Church
untill word Can be had from the Rector of New York or
from a Convention of the Clergy." "The Remainder of
49
The Records ojChrist Church
the Quaterly meetings of this year was not held by
Reason of troublous times."
Mr. Beardsley's rectorate virtually ended with the
suspension of church services; he continued to occupy
the glebe, but no salary was paid him.
Possession of the Hudson River valley in 1777 became
the pivot of the military campaign; New York City was
occupied by the British, and Burgoyne threatened the
headwaters, while, in October, General Vaughn sailed
up the river and burned Kingston. Excitement ran
high in the several towns and lines of cleavage were
sharply drawn. In just what way Mr. Beardsley incur-
red the disapproval and suspicion of the Whigs at Pough-
keepsie neither public nor parish records disclose; but
his Tory sympathies were strong, and his personality
positive, and it was inevitable that a break should come.
December 5th, 1777, the Council of Safety, sitting at
Hurley, resolved^ "that Peter Tappen and Andrew
Billings, Esqrs., Assistant Commissioners of Conspiracies,
be authorized and directed to cause the Revd, Mr.
Bardsley and Henry Vandenbergh, with their families
(male servants and slaves excepted), to be removed to the
city of New York, and to permit them to take with them
their wearing apparel, and necessary bedding, and
provisions for their passage, and no other goods or effects
whatsoever."
An attempt was made by Tappen and Billings to have
the severity of this order mitigated, family connection
forming a strong factor in favor of the Rector. Mr.
Beardsley's first wife died soon after they came to
Poughkeepsie, and he had married, second, Bartholomew
Crannell's daughter, Gertrude. Her sister, Elizabeth,
1 Journal of the Council of Safety, New York State Library.
50
The Records oj Christ C h u r,c h
was the wife of Peter Tappen, one of the Commissioners
ordered to remove Mr. Beardsley, and her sister Cath-
erine's husband, Gilbert Livingston, was one of the most
influential Whigs in Poughkeepsie.
But the Council of Safety returned the following
decisive answer to the Commissioners:^
In Council of Safety
Hurley, llth Deer. 1777.
Gentlemen —
The Council of Safety are surprised you should be at a loss
to determine the two questions you have raised on Messrs.
Birdsley and Vandenbergh's case.
With respect to the question whether they are at liberty to
seU effects to pay just debts due to the inhabitants, it is evi-
dent they can have no such indulgence; for. besides the danger
of covering their property by sale and payment of feigned
debts, all the property they are to leave behind must be sub-
ject to disposition by the authority of the State.
In that case, honest creditors can be no losers; because there
is justice enough in Government to discharge the demands of
such creditors, as far as the property left behind will extend.
Besides, to permit them to sell their effects, and pay debts at
their discretion, would be the most direct means to enable them
to defraud their honest creditors.
With respect to such effects as are claimed to be the property
of Mr. Birdsley's children, the Council are of opinion that they
can not be considered as exempted from seizure, because the
father, who is an enemy to the State, can not be the proper
guardian of their effects, especially as he is no longer a sub-
ject of this State, and is on the point of being sent out of it.
If the children should, hereafter, become subjects of this
State, and can make out their title to the moneys arising from
the sale of the goods claimed in their behalf, those moneys will
be found in the treasury to answer their demand in a course of
equity.
In short, as you are to send off the two families, except male
servants and slaves, and to permit them only to take off their
wearing apparel and necessary bedding and provisions for
1 Journal of the Council of Safety, New York State Library.
51
The Records ofChrist Church
their passage, and no other goods or effects whatsoever, the
express terms of the resolution of the 5th inst. might, we con-
ceive, with a little attention, have removed all doubt.
With respect to the dangerous seeds of faction, which you
suppose are springing up at Poughkeepsie, the Coimcil hopes
that the removal of the two disaffected persons, above men-
tioned, will be an effectual means of preventing their growth,
especially, as, in addition to this reason, it appears that the
two ringleaders have delivered themselves up, with marks of
great penitence. However, we think this matter properly lies
with the committee, who may bail or commit them at their
discretion.
We are, gentn.
Your humble servts.
To Andw. Billings and Peter Tappen, Esqrs.
Poughkeepsie.
Governor Clinton, at Poughkeepsie, issued on Decem-
ber 13th the permit^ for the removal of Mr. Beardsley,
his wife and five children, with wearing apparel, bedding,
and provisions for their passage; they were to be taken
to New York on a sloop commanded by Captain Robert
North, and the sloop, captain and crew were to return
to Poughkeepsie unmolested.
Mr. Beardsley's own view of his removal, as expressed'
by him many years later, was, that, "As I did not remove
from Poughkeepsie to New York and Join the British
Side of my own accord, but went by Constraint, being
Sent away by the powers then prevailing, I was not
considered in the light of those who left their home of
Choice, and therefore no attainder was ever made out
against me."
December 14th, 1777, the Vestry Minutes record that,
**by Order of the Council of Safety the Rev'd Mr. John
Beardsley, Rector, was Removed to New York, and
1 Clinton Papers, Vol. 2, pp. 574, 575.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 35.
52
The Records ofChrist Church
John Davis a member of the Vestry Enter(ed) upon and
took Possession of the Glebe with the Consent of the
members of the Vestry."
Names of Contributors to the Salary
of the Rev. John Beardsley
Mr. Beardsley's salary was reckoned annually, from December
25th, 1766, the day of his first service in Poughkeepsie as Rector; it
was paid to December 25th, 1775.
B. Isaac Baldin Jr.; Isaac Baldwin; John Bard; John Bard
Jr.; John Barns, merchant; Elisha Beagle; John Bleeck-
er; David Brooks.
C. Alexander Chaucer; John Child; Philip Cooper; John
Cornell; Stephen Cornell; Bartholomew Crannell;
Charles Crooke; Mrs. Jane Crooke (later Mrs. Jane Van
Kleeck).
D. John Davis; Richard Davis; Thomas Dearing; Timothy-
Doughty; Lewis DuBois.
E. Gabriel Ellison; Eli Emons; John Emons; William
Emott;^ Henry Everitt; Richard Everitt.
F. Abraham Ferdon; Jacob Ferdon; Johannes Ferdon;
JohnFerdon Jr.; Zachariah Ferdon; JohnFrear.
G. William Gay.
H. Hendrick Hageman; Isaac Hageman; Peter Harris.
K. Jonas Kelsey.
L. Simeon LeRoy Jr.; Jonathon Lewis; Henry Livingston;
Gilbert Livingston; John Lovett.
M. Aaron Medlar; John Medlar; Uriah Mitchell, of Nine
Partners; Ebenezer Mott; John Mott; Samuel Mott.
N. Robert North; Bartholomew Noxon; Simon Noxon.
P. John Pawling; James Wm. Payne; Samuel Pinkney;
Thomas Poole; Michael Price.
1 In 1773 William Emott was exempted from further salary pay-
ments "so long as he continues Clerk."
53
The Records ofChrist Church
R. Eli Reid; John M. Retsey; Daniel Roberts; Ichabod
Rogers.
S. Henry Sands; Daniel Smith; Jacob Smith, at Nine Part-
ners; Samuel Smith, Boatman; Samuel Smith, Farmer;
Maurice Smith, Tanner; Morris S. Smith; John Stou ten-
burgh.
T. Peter Tappen; William Terry; Robert Thompson.
V. Henry Van De Burgh; Baltus VanKleeck; MyndertVan
EQeeck; John Van Steenbarck.
W. Benjamin Walsworth; Richard Warner; Richard Wilkin-
son; James Winans; Thomas Wooley.
54
CHAPTER III
FROM THE REMOVAL OF MR. BEARDSLEY, THE FIRST RECTOR,
TO THE ARRIVAL OF MR. VAN DYCK, THE SECOND. THE
REVOLUTION. THE GLEBE. PEWING THE CHURCH. THE
ARBITRATION WITH TRINITY CHURCH, FISHKILL.
UNDER Providence, this parish was kept alive,
during the Revolution and the dreary days that
followed it, by the fact that it was an incor-
porated body and held real estate which it was the duty
of its vestry to take charge of and protect as trustees.
While the war was in progress, the Easter election was
annually held in conformity with the charter, to perpetu-
ate the Corporation, and from the Declaration of
Independence in 1776 to the conclusion of the Treaty of
Peace in 1783, twenty-one men were elected to the
vestry. Of these, Richard Davis, William Emott and
Dr. Robert Noxon served continuously throughout the
troubled period, and it may well be said of them that
they, by their faithfulness to the interests of the con-
gregation, averted its disintegration.
The eighteen other men who were more or less often
in the vestry from 1776 to 1783 were Ebenezer Badger,
Isaac Baldwin, Isaac Baldwin Jr., Charles Crooke, John
Davis, Richard Davis Jr., Peter Delamater, Zachariah
Ferdon, Daniel Lefferts, Henry Mott, Simon Noxon,
Thomas Poole, William Post, James Pritchard, Daniel
Smith, Samuel Smith, Gerard Smith, Melancthon L.
Woolsey. Some of these were openly Tories, others
were tacitly understood so to be, but the men connected
55
The Records oj Christ Church
with the parish who became really active supporters of
the King were those whose names are associated with the
earlier formative years of the mission.
For example, Eli and John Emons, Jacob Ferdon,
several Lassings, John Mott, Peter Palmatier, Richard
and Henry Van der Burgh, all lost their property by
confiscation;^ Johannes Medlar sufifered arrest,^ on the
charge of having assisted Peter Harris in an attempt to
enlist men for a company in the King's troops under
Harris's command, and Peter Harris, himself, eventually
disappeared from the community.
Bartholomew Crannell was, of course, the most con-
spicuous Tory in the congregation, as, perhaps, in the
village. He joined the British in New York in 1778, and,
at the close of the war in 1783, made one of the party of
Loyalists which founded the city of St. John, New
Brunswick; he was one of the leaders in all that con-
cerned St. John until his death. May 24th, 1790, in his
seventieth year. At St. John he was spoken of^ as
"Father Crannell," being the senior barrister, and, in a
way, the father of the bar of the city and province.
Mr. Crannell filed a claim as a Loyalist (at a Deter-
mination of Claims from New York, held in May, 1787,
ill Nova Scotia),^ for losses of real estate and personal
property at Poughkeepsie, and loss of income from the
practise of his profession amounting in all to £2,500 .0.0.
Hesitation about paying this claim arose, owing to the
fact that the real estate at Poughkeepsie was thought to
1 Piatt's History of Poughkeepsie, p. 301.
2 Calendar of Revolutionary Manuscripts, p. 195.
3 Correspondence: — Letter of the Rev. Dr. W. O. Raymond, St.
John, N. B.
4 Audit Office Transcripts, Vol. 29, p. 327, Lenox Library, New
York City.
56
The Records oj Christ Church
be in the possession of the claimant's sons-in-law,
Gilbert Livingston and Peter Tappen, and Mr. Crannell
was desired to prove his loss. As a matter of fact,
Livingston and Tappen did not obtain possession of the
property until a year later, when (on May 30th, 1788),
they bought^ it in from the Commissioners of Forfeiture,
paying £600 .0.0 for five separate parcels, aggregating
two hundred and nineteen acres and a half. Ninety
six acres had previously been sold by the Commissioners^
to Dr. Samuel Cooke of Poughkeepsie, for £240.0.0.
Mr. Crannell's dwelling house stood on one of the lots
purchased by his sons-in-law, and, it having been at the
disposal of the Commissioners since 1778, it had been
occupied by Governor Clinton for at least a part of the
time in which he lived at Poughkeepsie.
William Emott was described^ by Peter Tappen and
Gilbert Livingston and others, to Governor Clinton in
November 1777, as "a Sly, Crafty, Designing Tory."
He had applied to Clinton for a pass to go to New York
to receive a legacy from the estate of an uncle, and Clin-
ton had granted the application after enquiry as to
Emott's moral character. A general protest was made at
Poughkeepsie, desiring the withdrawal of the pass,
which Clinton at once revoked. In the protest Emott
is said to "always keep Regular Journals from day to
day of every Ocurrance that happens;" he "has capt
minutes of every transaction amongst us since the com-
mancement of the warr." This journal would be racy
reading, could it be found, and would add as much
detail to the Revolutionary history of the city, as
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 27, p, 179.
2 Ibid., Liber 8, p. 43.
3 Clinton Papers, Vol. 2, pp. 543-546.
57
The Records ofChrist Church
have Emott's other writings to the history of Christ
Church.
Richard and John Davis, although Tories, were not
aggressive ones. They remained in the background,
attending to their own business interests, which were
large, they being among the prosperous merchants of the
town. A road (now Pine street) led from Market
street to the river, ending at Richard Davis's landing,
where he had a storehouse, and did a forwarding and
freighting business by sloops. His daughter, Hester,
was the wife of Dr. Robert Noxon, the tliird member of
the trio which, with such constancy, served the Church.
Dr. Noxon lived in the house on Market street, still
remembered as his, and several of his descendants are
members of Christ Church at the present time. He
practised his profession here many years, and was a
member of the vestry of Christ Church every year but
four from 1776 to 1810.
During the nine and a half years under consideration
in this chapter, which form the interval between the first
and second rectorates, the vestry met thirty-four
times, the meetings being held at the houses of Richard
Davis, John Davis, Dr. Noxon and Thomas Poole; the
latter was an inn-keeper in Poughkeepsie, who had been
baptized as an adult by Mr. Beardsley in 1773, and who
was a faithful member of the Church in its time of adver-
sity.
The charter required that the Easter election should
be held at the church, but, from 1776 to 1784, though the
election itself was annually recorded, no mention is made
of the place where it occurred. Apparently the church
building was closed and entirely disused, for there is not
a reference to it in the contemporary records. This
58
The Records ofChrist Church
complete silence does not lend color to the suggestion^
that it may have been used as a barrack for troops, for,
so voluminous are the parish papers, some mention of
such use must surely have been made, if only one for the
needed cleaning and repairs which it would have necessi-
tated. April 18th, 1786, the vestry, "Ordered that
Richard Davis and Henry Mott be a committee for
repairing the Church steepel, and any other repairs they
may deem necessary for the preservation of the Build-
ing," the wording of which resolution would indicate
that the building was in fairly good condition.
It is well known that Trinity Church at Fishkill was
put to good service for the patriot cause. Rom bout
Precinct's sheltered position behind the Highlands gave
it a value in the years of the War for certain uses of the
Army for which a protected place was needed, and, with-
in a radius of two or three miles around the English and
Dutch churches, troops and their officers from time to
time were quartered, and depots for supplies established.
The two churches were utilized, Trinity as a hospital,
the Dutch as a military prison, and, by the time the war
was over, they were sadly in need of renovation, after
their hard usage.
The day after Mr. Beardsley's departure from Pough-
keepsie, John Davis was installed by the vestry as
tenant of the glebe-house. He lived there from Decem-
ber 14th, 1777, to March 14th, 1780, when, as he wished
to move off the place, it was offered for rental.
Poughkeepsie was then the State Capital; the Gover-
nor was in residence, the Legislature holding sessions
here, and civil and military officials, lawyers, and men of
affairs were coming and going. The glebe-house, being
1 Piatt's History of Poughkeepsie, p. 51.
59
The Records of Chr i si Church
one of the desirable houses in the town, was easily let.
Colonel Andrew Bostwick, Deputy Foragemaster-General
of the Army, occupying it from April 13th, 1780, to
November 12th, 1783, and he being succeeded by Colonel
Udney Hay, Assistant Deputy Quartermaster-General,
from November 20th, 1783, to April 20th, 1784.
When Colonel Bostwick gave up the house he was in
arrears for rent, and asked the vestry to take his negro.
Jack, in part payment of his debt; Richard Davis, in
turn, agreed to take Jack from the vestry, but it proved
a bad bargain for him. Davis's own account of his
experience with Jack contains several side-lights on the
times; it will be noticed that Vermont in 1784 was the
"New Clames," and that Red Hook was called "Read
hook," — a contribution to the discussion of the uncer-
tain origin of the name Red Hook.
Acc't of a Neagro man Jack Bought of Co'U Andrew
Bostwick By Order of the Vestry of Christ Church at Pough-
keepsie in order to secure the payment of a sum of money Due
to the Congregation of Christ Church at Poughkeepsie &
Trinity Church at Fishkill, which money became Due for and
on acc't of Rent for their Glebe & Parsonage at Poughkeepsie.
Viz: By a Neagro man Jack see Coll
1783 Bostwick's acc't Ledger B fol 212 a
Novem'r 22 settlement for £75. 0.0
the Neagro proved to be onwell all
winter & was not abel to do hard
Labour all Winter at times was un-
der the Doctor's hands and was very
poorly clothed
1784
Septem'r Jack Run a way he Remained with
me ten months
To cash paid for hors hier &c &c for
t\yo men in Persut of him to Read
hook £ 2. 0.0
60
T h e Records oj Christ C h u r c h
To a Jurney after him myself up to
Bennington in the New Clames &
true the New England towns £ 5. 0.0
To cash paid to have him taken up. . £10. 0.0
he having bin gilty Steeling a hors
at Read hook & taken up in Con-
necticut with said horse by the Au-
thority, I tought best to ship him be-
fore our Laws tuck him in hand, my
trubel & Expence for Irons & going
Down with him £ 3. 0.0
To his Expences in Goal at New
York £ .16.0
To his cloathing while with me not
lessthan £ 5. 0.0
The above is a Large Compensation
for the short time he was in my ser-
vis
1786
July 15 By Cash Rec'd of Simon Scharma-
horn at New York, he having shipt
Jack to Carrolina for my acc't and
Resque, and Consigned to John
Johnson, see his acc't of the sales of
saidNeagro £29. 5. 8
Lost £45.14. 4
Fishkill Vestry Dr. to half the loss
on Jack £22.17. 2
I do appeal to the Vestry of Christ Church if my Directions
from them was not to take Jack of Coll. Bostwick, that if their
was a loss in taking him they would here it, as Coll. Bostwick
sercumstances was looked upon bad. The Neagro's carrector
was bad, but it was tought best to take him, as the Vestry of
Poughkeepsie was Impowered by the Fishkill Vestry to con-
duct this Business in particular with Bostwick. I think I have
a Rite to Charge the above. Richard Davis.
In the leases for the glebe-house, the garden and
orchard, barn and outbuildings and some farm land
were included; but the greater part of the land was
61
The Records ofChrist Church
rented separately, for farming purposes only, John Le
Roy and Francois Van der Bogert being regular and
profitable tenants for some time.
When the two hundred acres of waste land, or com-
mons, were added to the glebe by the charter, the tract
was already built upon or used by a number of squatters
who had entered upon the land without any just title,
but who had come to regard it as their own by right of
possession. Among them was Samuel Curry, a black-
smith, occupying about twenty-five acres, who now took
advantage of Mr. Beardsley's departure and the con-
fusion in the town, and seized the opportunity to assert
what he considered his claim as against that of the
Church. The lack of law and order then existing is
evident from the harassments Curry inflicted, unrestrain-
ed, upon John Davis, who was forced to report the matter
to the vestry in September, 1778. Davis gave a graphic
account of it, saying:
In December 1777 I took possession of the Glebe by order
of the Vestry, and in the winter of 1778 Samuel Curry laid
Claim to the new Glebe, and in the Spring following began to
be troublesome to me by throwing down my fences and bars
in the night and putting in his Horses, and would take them
out again by break of day: at length he grew more open, put
them into my meadow in the day time: I catch't his people
taking them out and forwarned them not to put them in again,
but it altered not his Conduct. He now began to threaten me,
and said he would put his Horses into my lotts in defiance of
me, and said further that he would turn mine out.
In the summer of 1778 I ploughed the field which lays next to
the place where John Wilson's House stood, and sewed Buck-
wheat thereon. And I let John Wilson have a part of the said
field to plant Corn in, upon shares. Curry put his Horses and
Cows in. I sent them to the pound. He took them out
again, and put them into my field again. I prosecuted him
for damages, before Peter Tappen Esquire. He appeared,
62
The Records ofChrist Church
and demurred upon title, and then it was left to the Courts
above.
He then openly committed all the damage he thought proper,
turned in his Horses and Cattle and destroyed my Buckwheat
and Corn. Came in and Cut all the grass which was fit for
mowing in the valeys of the said field, and finally took pos-
session of the aflForsaid field and a piece of uninclosed land
(part of glebe) laying to the North East of the said field and
in the enclosing of which he frequently took my Rails from
my fence and put them on his fence, which he made to inclose
the said piece of land.
To the above damages I believe that Leonard Lewis, John
Seabury, Francis Kip, John Boorum, John Van Wagener, and
John LeRoy are well acquainted with —
John Davis.
John Davis, having taken this affair into court, the
vestry appointed him, with his brother, Richard Davis,
and William Emott a committee to take charge of the
suit, and defend the Church's title. The committee
promptly engaged Richard Morris and Egbert Benson
as their attorneys, but the suit, for some reason not
stated, did not come to trial until nine years later,
Curry all that time withholding the land, when, in
June, 1787, Curry "suffered Judgement to go against him
by default."
One of the two attorneys chosen in 1778 by the com-
mittee — Egbert Benson — was then a young lawyer,
just at the opening of a distinguished career; he had
been made Attorney-General of New York the previous
year, and was a member of the Council of Safety and of
the Legislature. As Poughkeepsie was the seat of the
State Government, he opened an office here, and, after
the war, when services were resumed, became a contribu-
tor to the support of Christ Church. In his later years
he was a member of Congress, a Justice of the Supreme
The Records ojChrist Church
Court of New York, and of the Circuit Court of the
United States.
In May, 1777, a Board of Sequestration was created by
the State to take charge of and lease the property for-
feited by Tories, and in 1784 an act of the Legislature
was passed, further providing for the "speedy sale of
confiscated and forfeited estates" by the Commissioners
of Forfeiture,
Dr. Samuel Cooke of Poughkeepsie called the attention
of these Commissioners to the twenty-three acre lot, for
which Mr. Beardsley had been given a deed originally,
but which the charter had confirmed to the Church.
Dr. Cooke was a resident physician, in practise at Pough-
keepsie from 1767, who seemed to be alive to the chance
of obtaining bargains in real estate through the sales
made by the Commissioners of Forfeiture. He bought,
as has been mentioned, ninety-six acres of Mr. Crannell's
land, and apparently attempted to secure the twenty-
three acre lot by having it confiscated as the property of
the departed Tory clergyman.
William Emott wrote Mr. Beardsley, later, regarding
Dr. Cooke's action, that^ the confiscation "was Averted
By our personal appearance before the Governor,
Attorney-General, and board of Commissioners, Where
our title was duly examined. And your Agency mani-
fested by the Records remaining in the Secretary's oflfice,
whereby you obtained the title and confirmation for the
Corporation, without any reservation; expressly de-
claring that the Church were the sole proprietors of the
said lands."
Although the church was closed while the war lasted,
and many of its members regarded with suspicion by the
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 14.
64
The Records ofChrist Church
Whig party, there were still those who disregarded these
conditions sufficiently to welcome three visits from
Episcopally ordained ministers. Mr. Provoost came
down from East Camp in August, 1779, and baptized ten,
and in September, 1782, and September, 1783, the Rev.
Richard Clarke, of St. John's Church, New Milford,
Connecticut, was here, and performed in all twenty-three
baptisms. Whether services were held, does not appear.
It suggests an amount of vitality, hardly to be expected
in the congregation as it emerged from under the strain
of war, that, as soon as peace was declared, it became
known as desirous of calling a rector. Mr. Henry Van
Van Dyck, of Stratford, who had acted as lay reader to
some extent in Connecticut, had decided to take Orders,
and in 1784 visited Poughkeepsie with the object of
effecting an arrangement with Christ Church for a call
thereto, so soon as he should have been ordained. He
held services in the church on the 20th and 24th of June,
and, on the first occasion, produced so favorable an
impression, that, without waiting for the second, a
subscription was opened June 23d for pledges for a
salary for him. The Dutch Church was then, and for
some years after, without a pastor, and was still weak
from its division over the ordination dispute. The
few English Presbyterians in Poughkeepsie also had no
minister, and they, as well as the Dutch, were therefore
ready to join with the representatives of the English
Church to promote the interests of the latter, and a
combined list of ninety signatures was obtained for
the pledge to support Mr. Van Dyck as Rector. Four of
those who signed specified that their subscriptions were
made until the other pulpits were filled, but it remained
for canny Colonel Hay to still further safeguard his,
65
The Records ojChrist Church
with the qualification "well" filled, and to underscore
the "well."
B. Ebenezer Badger; Valentine Baker; Isaac Balding; Isaac
Balding Jr.; William Balding; John Barns; ElishaBedle;
Isaac Brooks.
C. Caleb Carman; David Carpenter; John Chamberlain;
Francois Chandonet; William M. Cook;
D. Richard Davis; Richard Davis Jr. ; John Davis; Richard
De Cantillon; Lavina De Lametter; James Douglass;
Henry Du Bois; Daniel DuflPee; Jacob K. Duryea, "until
the Dutch suppUed with minister."
E. Conrad V D.Elmendorf; WiUiamEmott; Richard Ever-
itt.
F. Abraham Ferdon; Zachariah Ferdon ; Aaron Forman.
G. James P. Germond.
H. James Hall; Charles Hay, "until the Presbeterian pulpit
is filled;" Udney Hay, "until the Presbyterian Pulpit ia
we/Z filled;" Stephen Hendrickson ; Robert Hoflf man, "un-
til the Dutch Church is supl'd with a minister;" Martin
Hoffman; Judith Hooper.
K. Jonas Kelsey ; Eliazbeth Kip.
L. N.Lawrence; Daniel Leffeerts; John Le Roy Jr. ; James
Livingston; Beekman Livingston; Robert H. Living-
ston; William Louder.
M. Silas Marsh; Uriah Mitchell; Jacob Mott; John Mott;
Henry Mott; Joseph Mott Jr.; Thomas Mott.
N. Robert North; Robert Noxon; Simon Noxon.
O. Henry Ostrom.
P. John Pinkney; Thomas Poole; John Pride; James
Pritchard.
R. Jacob Radclift.
S. George Sands; Paul Schenck; Peter Schryver; David
Seaman; Daniel Smith; Israel Smith; Samuel Smith;
Samuel Smith, boatman; Richard Snedeker; Joseph
Southard; Stephen Stephens.
T. JohnTappen; Peter Tappen, "until the Dutch Church is
Supp'd with a Minister;" John Ter Bush; William Terry,
silversmith; William Terry, hatter; John Thomas.
66
The Records ojChrist Church
V. James Van Blorcum; Jane Van Kleeck; Myndert Van
Kleeck; Peter B. Van Kleeck; John Peter Vemont.
W. Richard Warner; Thomas Warner; Isaac Wood; Jesse
Wood; Mary Wood; Melancthon L. Woolsey.
Negotiations were opened at once with the Church at
Fishkill with a view to a joint call to Mr. Van Dyck, and,
on August 8th, 1784, a meeting of committees was held
at which it was agreed to extend this, he to become minis-
ter to the two Churches, "whenever he shall receive
Episcopal Ordination, provided such Ordination does
take place within a Reasonable term of time." Mr.
Van Dyck held service in Christ Church on August 1st,
and the following Sunday at Fishkill. In October he
again visited the congregations, and, the 4th of that
month, committees from the two Churches met to com-
plete the terms of his call. At this meeting the action
taken on August 8th was ratified, and it was settled that
one-third of Mr. Van Dyck's time should be given to
Fishkill, and two-thirds to Poughkeepsie, for which he
was to be given the use of the glebe, £40.0.0 in cash
annually from Fishkill, and £80 .0.0 from Poughkeepsie,
partly in cash and partly in firewood.
Churchmen in Connecticut, in the autumn of 1784,
were eagerly awaiting the result of the journey to Eng-
land of the Rev. Samuel Seabury,^ who had been
elected by them as Bishop of Connecticut, and who had
then sailed to seek consecration at the hands of the
Bishops of the English Church.
When the political tie with the mother-country was
severed by the issue of the Revolutionary V\^ar, the
situation of the missions and parishes of the Church of
England in America was precarious. Many of them had
1 Son of the Missionary to Dutchess County.
67
The Records of Christ Church
been largely dependent for support upon the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel, and these stipends were
now withdrawn, as the constitution of the Society limited
its missionary operations to the colonies and dependencies
of Great Britain. The Bishop of London had had
jurisdiction over the colonial Churches, and it became a
grave question how to obtain Episcopal administration
for the weak and poverty-stricken congregations. Con-
necticut rallied to a strong effort, elected Mr. Seabury,
and despatched him with her prayers on his difficult
embassy, — difficult, because political considerations
made the reception of him by the English clergy an
indifferent one, not to say chilling. Their attitude led,
finally, to his carrying his quest to Scotland, where he had
better fortune. At Aberdeen, on November 14th, 1784,
Mr. Seabury was consecrated by Bishops of the Scottish
Church, returning to Connecticut the following summer.
It was for his arrival, therefore, that the Church at
Poughkeepsie must wait, before Mr. Van Dyck could be
ordained and assume the Rectorship. While so waiting,
it was determined in December, 1784, that the church
should be pewed, an evidence of some revival of material
prosperity. It was voted to raise the money for the
work by subscription, and, when the pews were built, to
rent them annually by auction; the proceeds of each
auction were to be applied to the repayment of the sub-
scriptions, until those were all refunded. £115.18.0
was subscribed by sixty-nine persons, and forty-two
pews built; number six was "reserved for Clergyman's
family," and the "two pews nearest the door, each side
of the Broad He left unhired for the use of strangers.**
Those who subscribed were:
68
The Records ofChrist Church
A. Nathaniel Ashiord.
B. Ebenezer Badger; Theodorus Bailey; Valentine Baker;
Isaac Baldin; Isaac Baldin Jr. ; William Baldin; William
Barns; Egbert Benson; Thomas Beyeaux.
C. John Chamberlain Esq.; Francois Chandonet; John
Cooke; Cook & Hopkins.
D. Henry Davis ; John Davis ; Richard Davis ; RichardDeCan-
tillon; Timothy Doughty; Henry DuBois; Daniel Duff ee.
E. William Emott; Richard Everitt.
F. Zachariah Ferdon; Joakim Fosburgh.
H. Charles Hay; Udney Hay; Stephen Hendricksen; Mar-
tin Hoffman; Robert Hoffman.
J. Samuel Johnson
L. N. Lawrence; Daniel Lefferts; John Le Roy; William
Louther; Gilbert Livingston; Gilbert I. Livingston.
M. Henry Mott; Jacob Mott; John Mott; Joseph Mott Jr.
N. Robert Noxon; Simon Noxon.
O. Andreas Ostrander.
P. Ezekiel Pinkney; Thomas Pinkney; Thomas Poole;
James Pritchard; John Pride.
R. James Rogers.
S. Israel Smith; Robert Smith; Samuel Smith Esq'r; Sam-
uel Smith, skipper; Richard Snedeker.
T. John Tappen; Peter Tappen; Cornelius Ter Bush.
V. James VandenBurgh; John VandeBurgh; Baltus Van
Kleeck; Jane Van Kleeck; John Van Ifleeck; Myndert
Van Kleeck; Peter B. Van Kleeck; John P. Vemont;
Samuel Verplanck.
W. Melancthon Woolsey.
When the vestry of Christ Church first proposed to the
vestry of Trinity that they should unite in asking Mr.
Van Dyck to become their Rector, the Fishkill Church
declared their readiness to do so, provided a question then
under debate between them should be submitted to
arbitration.^' ^
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 33.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 14.
69
The Records ofChrist Church
This question was, in brief, whether the two hundred
acres of commons, added by the charter to the original
glebe, belonged to the two Churches jointly, or to
Christ Church alone. This was not specifically mention-
ed as a point at issue until April, 1784, although there had
never been accord and agreement on the subject of the
glebe from the time the charter for Christ Church was
obtained. But, in the discussion of Trinity's interest in
the glebe, that took place in 1773-1774-1775, Mr.
Beardsley being, then, still in residence, the two hundred
acres are not referred to in any records remaining in the
possession of Christ Church.
In 1784, the crux of the situation presented itself as
whether Mr. Beardsley, who had conducted the business
of the application to the Council for a grant, had, in
doing so, intended his action to benefit one or both of the
Churches. It is diflScult, at the present time, to see why
this was not easily determined from him in the three
years preceding his removal, or, why this particular
diflSculty was not referred to then, and it is much to be
regretted that more does not appear of the arguments and
proof advanced by the congregation at Fishkill.
An arbitration having been agreed to, it was decided
in August, 1784, to invite Dr. Samuel Johnson and the
Rev. Mr. Leaming, two of the leaders among the clergy
of Connecticut, to act as arbitrators. Their inability to
serve delayed the matter somewhat, but, finally, on the
8th and 9th of March, 1785, the conferrees met at James
Annin's inn at New Hackensack, the arbitrators being
Judge Isaac Smith of Lithgow, chosen by Poughkeepsie,
Martin Wiltsie, Esq., of Rombout, chosen by Fishkill,
and Samuel Verplanck of Rombout, chosen by Messrs.
Smith and Wiltsie. The representatives of the two
70
The Records ofChrist Church
Churches were, for Trinity, John Ilalstead, Daniel Ter-
Bos, Dr. Jeremiah Cooper, Benjamin Snider, Philip
Pine, Jonas Halstead, Thomas Southard, Obadiah
Cooper, "Mr. Cooke" and "Mr. Southard;" for Christ
Church, Richard Davis, William Emott, Robert Noxon,
John Davis, James Pritchard, Isaac Balding Jr. and
Ebenezer Badger.
"When the parties mett at New Hackensack" (to
quote the words^ of William Emott), "It was discovered
we did not stand on equal ground, they not being incor-
porated. The Articles of Submission^ were therefore
executed by individuals, in which they pledged themselves
to each other on their honour and good faith."
A brief for Christ Church,^ prepared by John Davis for
this occasion, after rehearsing the circumstances under
which the charter and grant were obtained, says :
"Since which time an Unhappy dispute has arisen
between the Corporation of Christ Church in
Poughkeepsie and the Vestry and Congregation of
Fishkills, on account of said two Hundred Acres
granted as Aforesaid : the people of Fishkill say that
the two Hundred acres ought of Right to be a part
of the Glebe and that they should be equal to the
Poughkeepsie people in it, and do accuse the mem-
bers of Poughkeepsie Church of unfair dealing in
Obtaining the Land to themselves, and say farther
that Mr. Beardsley had said it was for both Congre-
gations.
"We, the Members of the Corporation of Christ
Church as above said, do deny that we have used any
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 33.
2 Appendix, Fishkill papers. No. 12.
3 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 14.
71
The Records ofChrist Church
unfair or underhanded means in giting the land,
but that we have Obtained it Justly and uprightly;
furthermore we say that we have added land to the
Glebe by which the Fishkill people is benefited as
well as we; for, by the purchase of the Glebe they
were entitled to part of the Commons, but, when the
said Commons was deemed by the Governor and
Council unpatented, and Consequently Vacant
Land, the right of the Glebe, and theirs with it, fell to
nothing. Yet we did obtain a part of the said
Vacant Land for the Glebe and which we got annex-
ed to it, as will appear by the Map of the Glebe and
our Charter; which is the Land Mr. Beardsley told
the Fishkill people he had Obtained for both Con-
gregations.
"In giting the two Hundred acres we acted for our
Church Only, the same as we did in building of it;
and we look upon it that a Claim from the Fishkills
for the walls of our Church would be as Just as the
one they make to the Land; for Can it be supposed
that we cannot advance the Interest of our Church
without giving theirs a part? Surely, no. What-
ever property the Fishkill Members gets for theirs,
Can, in our Opinion, in no part whatever be Claimed
for the Church at Poughkeepsie.
"We never Negociated this matter Secretly, it was
agitated pubhckly and openly at New York, and we
believe not without your knowledge. If Mr. Beard-
sley told you it was for both Congregations we can't
help that. He had no authority from us for saying so.
"We are of opinion that if Mr. Beardsley was
present he would easily set all Right in that affair,
and we make no doubt but that his evidence would
The Records ojChrist Church
tend verry much in our favour; but, as that Cannot
now be Obtained we are Constrained to do without
it. Mr. Beardsley always told us that what he
meant by telling you it was for the benefit of both
Congregations was Only the Gore^ annexed to the
Glebe and not the two Hundred acres.
"Gentlemen Arbitrators
"This we think to be a true State of the matter in
dispute between us and to your Determination we
most willingly submit it, both for peace, and the
Churches sake, which we most ardently wish."
Davis's statemerrtr that the Fishkill Church charged
unfair dealing on the part of Christ Church is repeated in
a vestry minute^ of earlier date, in which it was said the
opinion at Fishkill was "that there must have been a
fraud or Collusion in that Affair." In a letter^ from the
vestry of Christ Church to the Rev. John Beardsley in
New Brunswick is this paragraph also: "One hundred
acres of the New Land will probably be given up to
Fishkill; we can make peace upon no other terms; they
stand ready with a number of witnesses to make appear
your positive engagements to them in this affair."
Over against the testimony of the Fishkill witnesses
must be set that of Mr. Beardsley in a letter* he wrote
John Davis from Maugerville, September 9th, 1788, —
"that ye two hundred acres of new land was designed for
ye use and benefit of Christs Church at Poughkeepsie,
ye Charter and Grant will fully evince."
1 The gore was a 30 acre sub-division of the 87 acres of the
original glebe, as exhibited on a map of October 30th, 1784.
2 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 10.
3 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 10.
4 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 8.
73
The Records oj Christ Church
The decision of the arbitrators,^ rendered at New
Hackensack on March 9th, 1785, was that each Church
was entitled to a full and equal half of both the original
glebe and of the two hundred acres (the twenty-three
acre lot always excepted), that the Corporation of Christ
Church were trustees for the share of the Fishkill con-
gregation,, and that the latter were -liable to pay the said
Corporation for one half of the expense incurred in
obtaining the lands and the charter.
The handicap under which Trinity Church labored,
that of the want of incorporation, was removed soon
after the arbitration. One of the first matters taken up
by the Legislature of the State of New York upon the
formal conclusion of peace, was that of relief to con-
gregations whose affairs had been thrown into confusion
by the change from dependent to independent govern-
ment, and in April, 1784, an act was passed "to enable
Churches to appoint Trustees," etc. This opportunity
Trinity availed itself of on October 13th, 1785, two of the
vestry certifying^ on that date that trustees had been
"elected for the Congregation of Trinity Church in Pre-
cinct of Rombout, to take charge of the estate and proper-
ty of the Congregation."
When the tide of war receded. Episcopal congregations
throughout the country were left stranded, as so many
units. Their first need was now felt to be the establish-
ment of some bond of union, and some arrangement for
concerted action. To this end the vestry of Trinity
Church, New York City, invited^ all the congregations
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers, No. 13.
2 Dutchess County Clerk's records, Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 258.
3 Dix: History of Trinity Parish, Vol. 2, p. 103.
74
The Records of Christ Church
in the state to send delegates to a meeting which was
held in June, 1785, in New York. The purpose of the
meeting was declared to be the determination of some
plan of organization, and also the appointment of depu-
ties from New York to a general meeting of clerical and
lay deputies from the several Episcopal congregations
within the United States, which general meeting had
been announced for the following autumn.
This gathering in June, 1785, ranks as the first meeting
of the body which became the Diocesan Convention of
New York. Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, was repre-
sented in it by John Davis, and it is gratifying to record
that he was elected^ by it one of the three lay delegates
from New York State to the first General Convention of
the Church, held at Philadelphia in September-October,
1785. At this first General Convention there was
adopted a constitution for the Episcopal Church in the
United States; revisions were made in the liturgy, and a
Proposed Book of Common Prayer put forth; and steps
were taken to procure the Episcopate in the line of the
English Succession.
As a result of the Philadelphia Convention, a summons
was issued in 1786 by the clergy of New York City for
another meeting of representatives of the Churches of
New York State. In acknowledging the invitation^ to
send delegates, which was extended by the Rev. Messrs.
Samuel Provoost (then become Rector of Trinity
Parish), Abraham Beach and Benjamin Moore, the
vestry of Christ Church referred to the important
business matters which the State Convention would
1 Dix: History of Trinity Parish, Vol. 2, p. 104, and Journal
of the Convention of the Diocese of Netv York, 1785.
2 Original letter, Christ Church Parish Mss.
75
The Records of Christ Church
have before it. It is interesting to note, in their expres-
sion of a desire for Church unity, an echo of the dis-
cussion in the General Convention at Philadelphia of the
Federal idea of the Church in the United States. This
was a conception which the New England congregations
had not yet assimilated.
After regretting that an engagement for a conference
with the Fishkill vestry would prevent their being in
attendance at the New York Convention, the vestry's
reply reads:
"It has been reported with us that the New Book
of Common Prayer will be brought forward at this
convention. It is impossible for this Congregation
to judge of its merits, it not having made its way
among us, and this probably is the case with most
of the congregations in this State. Should this be
a true state of facts, We are of Opinion it would be
for the Interest of the Church to have the matter
postponed.
"The success of the application made to the Mother
church for the Consecration of American Bishops
will depend much upon our Prudence. That the
unity of the Church may be preserved is the fervent
wish of, Gentlemen, your Very humble Servant
"By order of the Vestry
"William Emott, Secretary.
"N. B.
"Any letters directed to the Church of Poughkeep-
sie will come safe by our Sloops, one or more of them
sails from N York every Saturday in the Season,
they are to be found at Crugers Wharf."
The parish was still without its Rector when this letter
76
The Records ojChrist Church
was written, although Mr. Van Dyck had been ordained
by Bishop Seabury in August 1785. After his ordina-
tion had taken place, the vestry supposed all occasion
for delay was over, but, to their requests that he should
remove himself and his family from Stratford to Pough-
keepsie, he returned excuses which somewhat nettled
them. Mr. Van Dyck, on his part, was loath to tell
the real difficulty, but finally he made known to the
vestry that he owed a debt to a creditor in New York
City, which he had not funds to meet, and that the laws,
in force in the State of New York, regarding debtors,
rendered him liable to arrest and imprisonment if he
came within the state to live.
By the agency of Egbert Benson, to whom the vestry
entrusted the matter, a settlement was ultimately reach-
ed with the creditor, and, as it fortunately happened that
the Legislature of New York modified the State code
concerning debtors at about this time, it became possi-
ble for Mr. Van Dyck to enter upon his charge.
An amendment made to the original terms agreed upon
with him provided that he was to divide his time equally
between Christ and Trinity Churches, and on Whit-
sunday (May 27th), 1787, his rectorate began. The
correspondence and proceedings relating to his call are
printed in full in the Appendix, as they contain local
color which it is worth while to preserve.
77
CHAPTER IV
1787-1798
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED
STATES. THE RELATION OF CHRIST CHURCH TO EXTRA-
PAROCHIAL CONDITIONS. THE DEBT ON THE CHURCH
BUILDING. THE SALE OF THE GLEBE. SETTLEMENT
WITH TRINITY CHURCH, FISHKILL. LAW SUITS WITH
TRESPASSERS ON THE GLEBE. SHORT RECTORATES.
THE BELL. THE STEEPLE. ADOPTION OF NEW SEAL.
NAME OF CORPORATION ALTERED. VESTRY BY-LAWS.
EPISCOPALIANS AT RED HOOK. ST. ANN's CHURCH,
BEEKMAN. CHANGES IN CONGREGATION OF CHRIST
CHURCH. GIFT FROM TRINITY CHURCH, NEW YORK.
NAMES OF PEWHOLDERS, 1785-1798.
IN the years immediately succeeding the first General
Convention, the attention of Episcopalians in the
United States was centered upon the three chief
subjects which had occupied the deliberations of that
assembly, those being the constitution, the Prayer Book,
and the procurement of an American Episcopate.
Dr. William White, Rector of Christ Church, Phila-
delphia, had been the constructive force in the Conven-
tion, and continued many years as a leading influence
in the Church. To his statesmanlike ability is due the
drafting of its constitution, and to his foresight and
clear vision we owe the formation of a united Church
of National scope, rather than an aggregation of separate
State bodies.
The latter condition is what would, approximately,
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The Records ojChrist Church
have resulted, if the poHey of Bishop Seabury of Connec-
ticut had prevailed, a policy moulded by certain under-
lying facts which affected his point of view. He had
obtained his consecration from nonjuring Bishops in
Scotland, whose status, so far as Apostolic Order was
concerned, was valid, but who were under the proscrip-
tion of the State. They were the ecclesiastical de-
scendents of certain Bishops of the Established Church of
England, devoted adherents of the House of Stuart, who,
when the Stuarts were overthrown, refused to take the
oath of allegiance to their successors, and thereby came
under a political ban, and put themselves out of union
with the State Church.
These circumstances evolved among them a tendency
to lay stress upon Apostolic Order to the exclusion of all
other considerations. Bishop Seabury showed himself
influenced by their school of thought in his belief that
Churchmen in this country had no right to proceed in the
adoption of a constitution until full Episcopal organiza-
tion had been effected, and he administered his diocese
for some years without much regard for the proceedings
of the congregations of the Middle and Southern States
in Convention assembled.
Dr. White, on the other hand, held that the exigencies
of the time demanded that the congregations should be
held together by some definite action toward union, and
that the Convention, with the formulation by it of the
constitution, was a prime necessity. He considered it
equally essential to the well being of the Church that it
should be in harmony with the mother-Church of Eng-
land, and, at the same time, adapt itself independently
to new political conditions and assume a National char-
acter, and, to secure these ends, he advocated that appli-
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cation be made at once to the Archbishop of Canterbury
for the bestowal of the Episcopate upon the Church in
America.
The Convention agreed with Dr. White's opinions,
and prepared an address to the English Primate, setting
forth its desires. The address was entrusted for pre-
sentation to John Adams, Minister to St. James', and his
able offices in its behalf led, in time, to its being favorably
acted upon.
The congregations in New York State, on June 13th,
1786, elected Samuel Provoost as Bishop, and those in
Pennsylvania, on September 14th, chose Dr. White.
These two candidates sailed together for England in
November, 1786, and, on February 4th, 1787, were con-
secrated at Lambeth, the consecrators being the Arch-
bishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishop of Bath and
Wells and the Bishop of Peterborough. A little later
Virginia elected James Madison, who also went to
England for consecration, receiving the same September
19th, 1790. Bishop Madison being the necessary canonical
third for the perpetuation of the English Succession, the
foundations of the infant Church in the United States
were laid; all its Bishops, since, trace back to White,
Provoost and Madison. Some trace to Seabury also,
as he joined with the other three in the consecration of
Bishop Clagett in 1792, and Clagett thereafter joined in
four consecrations.
Although much had been accomplished toward placing
the Church upon a sound basis, its progress lagged for a
generation. Men and means had been exhausted by the
Revolutionary struggle, and a period of transition had to
be undergone both by Church and Nation. The con-
dition of the Church as a whole was reflected by that of a
80
The Records of C hr i s t Church
single diocese, and the condition of a diocese by a single
parish. In New York the episcopate of Bishop Pro-
voost (1787-1801) is almost coterminous with one of the
natural divisions of time into which the history of Christ
Church falls of itself, and which is considered in this
chapter. Bishop Provoost had been an ardent patriot
in the Revolution, and his identification with the Ameri-
can cause gave him an influence tending to allay popular
distrust of the Episcopal Church. He spoke no dis-
tinctive word to the Church, however, in doctrine or in
spiritual teaching, and his administration of the diocese
is marked chiefly by the encouragement which, as
Rector of Trinity Parish, he was able to give the rural
congregations in timely donations from Trinity's treasury.
His long residence at East Camp had given him greater
familiarity with the Church at Poughkeepsie than he
would otherwise have had, and this was supplemented by
the fact that his daughter and her husband, Cadwallader
D. Colden, made their home at Poughkeepsie for a few
years. Colden joined the coterie of able lawyers gather-
ed in Poughkeepsie, and is said to have prepared himself
among them for his later distinguished work at the bar,
and as Mayor of New York, and Congressman and Sena-
tor. While here, he served Christ Church as a vestry-
man, and as lay delegate to the Diocesan Convention;
in 1793 and 1794 he was elected to the standing committee
of the diocese, the Rector of the parish (the Rev. George
Hartwell Spierin) also being a member of that com-
mittee in 1794.
In the first Diocesan Convention held after Bishop
Provoost was consecrated (that of October 1787), the
Book of Common Prayer was under consideration, but
Christ Church Vestry Minutes record on December 4th,
81
The Records of Christ Church
that "William Emott reported that nothing was done
at the Convention respecting the Book of Common
Prayer. The matter was left for the consideration of the
next General Convention; the Churches meanwhile are
at liberty to use the Old or New Book at their discretion.
***** Bishop Provoost signified his intention of Visit-
ing our Church early in the Spring in order to administer
the Ordinance of Confirmation, and to enquire into the
state of our Church."
This is the only mention of confirmation in the records
of the parish until 1805, and whether a visitation were
actually made in 1788, as proposed, does not appear.
After the Diocesan Convention of 1790, at a vestry
meeting December 21st, "Messrs. Emott and Badger
reported that they, on the first Tuesday of last month
attended the Convention held in Trinity Church in the
City of New York, and took their seats as Representa-
tives from this Church. Bishop Provoost ***** en-
joy ned upon the Churches belonging to his Diocese to
present the State of their respective Congregations,
thro' their deputies, at the next Convention. The writ-
ing to be delivered in under the hands of the Minister and
Churchwardens. Those Churches which have no clergy-
man, by the Churchwardens only, or Trustees, as the
case may be. He has it in contemplation to visit the
Churches on the Hudson whenever circumstances will
permit. The Convention have deliberated upon ways
and means for a Temporary Supply of Clergymen to the
vacant congregations in the Country ; for which end they
are endeavoring to establish a Fund. All monies that
are to be raised for that Pious purpose to be paid into the
hands of their newly elected Treasurer, Mr. Hubert Van
Wagenen, together with the yearly donations for Support-
82
The Records of Christ Church
ing the Episcopate, * * * so as to enable them to send
forth an Itinerant Minister, or Ministers."
In compHanee with the request of Bishop Provoost,
this report of the state of Christ Church was prepared by
the vestry, for presentation to the Convention of 1791:
Right Rev'd Sir
We, the Church wardens of Christ Church at Poughkeepsie,
in conformity to your request, signified to our delegates at the
last Convention, make known to you the State of our Church.
The Church here, is a very decent building, erected at the
eve of the late war. It was judged expedient at that period
to loan £200 to forward the building, on the credit of our sub-
scriptions; but the Convoultions of the Country prevented
their collection, whereby we have lost upwards of £300, and
the debt still remains to be discharged. Destitute of other
resources for the immediate payment of so large a sum, we
have advertized our Glebe for sale.
Since the peace, we have repaired and pewed the Church,
and purchased a bell. At present the congregation are desti-
tute of a clergyman by the removal of the Rev'd Henry Van
Dyck last Spring. Arrangements are making for procuring
a Pastor; no person has yet been fixed upon.
From the exertions of our people, our Local Situation, and
the Friendly disposition of the Dutch Minister and his Con-
gregation, hopes are entertained of our Church becoming
respectable here. The Town of Poughkeepsie and its vicinity
contain 40 Episcopal families and 20 Episcopalians not in-
cluded in the above families; from this enumeration it is ob-
vious that at present a Minister can not be supported here un-
less a junction is formed with some other Congregation.
This we have assurances of.
The Countenance of the Bishop and his Clergy upon us will
no doubt be attended with Sallutary effects.
We are. Right Re'd Sir, with sentiments of Respect,
Your Humble Servants
The Right Rev'd Sam'l Rich'd Davis Ky ,
Provoost D.D. Bishop of Wm. Emott ) ^^^''^^^«-
the Episcopal Church, N. Y.
Accompanying the report are the names of "Heads of
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The Records ofChrist Church
Families and individual Episcopalians in Poughkeepsie
Town and its Vicinity." Thirty-nine families, and
seventeen individuals, only, are listed; the fortieth
householder is easily discovered in John Davis, who made
the list and omitted to include himself, but the three
missing^names of individuals cannot be supplied.
Names of Heads of Families
Church in Poughkeepsie
September
Ebenezer Badger
Nathan Bailey
Isaac Balding
Willm. Balding
Balding
Thomas Beyeaux
Henry Beyeaux
James Callow
Jas. Callow Junr.
Francois Chandonet
John Cooke
Richard Davis
John Davis
William Emott
John Ferdon
Abraham Ferdon
Captain Gill
John GuUen
Daniel Lefferts
John Medlar
belonging to the Episcopal
Town and Its Vicinity
6th, 1791
Peter Mesier
Henry Mott
Daniel Nash
Robert Noxon
Samuel Pinkney
John (Pioner?)
Thomas Poole
Nicholas Power
James Pritchard
Henry Relay
Samuel Smith
Abel Smith
Frederick Smith
Daniel Smith
Joseph Southard
Stephen Stevens
Archibald Stewart
Asahal Thrasher
Joseph WiUemey
Isaac Wood
Persons names Episcopalians not Heads of Families
Mrs. Baker
Mrs. Barber
Mrs. Beckwith
Mrs. Billings
James Cooper
John Crooke
Henercha Horner
Mrs. Kettletas
Mrs, LeRoy
WilUam Lowder
John Mott
Mrs. Sloan
Cath'n Sloan
George Smith
Samuel Thompson
Mrs. Williams
Richard Warner
The Records of Christ Church
The outline of the financial affairs of the parish, given
by the vestry in its statement to the Bishop, while brief,
is comprehensive, and affords a clear understanding of the
crisis that had been reached. This is seen to have been
caused by the debt remaining on the church building,
which was owed to Richard and John Davis. They, in
conjunction with Mr. Crannell, had in 1775 borrowed
£200 from Elias Desbrosses of New York, one of the
wardens of Trinity Church, and applied the money to
the building fund. Later, Richard Davis personally
cancelled the note to Mr. Desbrosses, and himself
became the creditor of the Church; but it was not until
1796 that the Church paid its indebtedness to him in
full.
As a means of removing this incumbrance, it was
proposed to raise money, either by selling or mortgag-
ing the glebe. The glebe-house had had a succession
of occupants since Mr. Beardsley's departure. John
Davis, Colonel Bostwick and Colonel Hay, from 1777
to 1784, were followed by John P. Vemont from 1784
to 1785; then, for a year, while the congregation were
waiting for Mr. Van Dyck's arrival, the place was
farmed for his benefit; growing doubtful of his coming,
it was let for a year to Zopher Weeks (1786-1787), and,
finally, Mr. Van Dyck took possession as Rector in
May, 1787.
It would be interesting to know more of the identity of
the fourth tenant. His full name, given on the register
of the Dutch Church, at the time of his marriage in 1782,
to a member of that congregation, was "Charles Martin
John Peter De Vemont," and the United States Census
of 1790 enrolls him as "Jean Pierre Vemont." Usually,
he was mentioned as "John P. Vemont," and he is known
85
The Recor ds of C hr i s t Church
to have been a merchant at Poughkeepsie, and captain,
major, etc., of a local troop of horse, 1786-1803. Two
other men of distinctly French names are at this time
mentioned in the parish records, and as these names are
not found among the familiar Huguenot patronymics of
the Hudson River valley, they excite a bit of curiosity.
Were their owners flotsam and jetsam of political
troubles in France, or did one or two of them cross with
the French allies during the war? Francois Chandonet
was at Poughkeepsie in 1779 as an Assistant Deputy
Quartermaster-General in the Army; he remained here,
married a daughter of Richard Davis, joined in the
river trade, and was a parishioner of Christ Church,
Richard De Cantillon was established at Hyde Park by
1770. He conducted the business at the Upper Landing
there, and his sloops brought cargoes of sugar and rum
from the West Indies in exchange for great quantities of
Dutchess County corn, shipped from his storehouse and
landing. He must have been an Episcopalian at heart,
for, although he lived seven miles away, he was a pew-
holder in the Poughkeepsie church.
From the spring of 1787 to that of 1791, the glebe-
house was occupied by the Rector, the Rev. Henry
Van Dyck, and, during his incumbency, it was planned
to mortgage the property. On April 12th, 1790, a
meeting was held at Poughkeepsie by the vestry of the
Fishkill Church and that of Christ Church, at which
was passed the resolution "that Peter Mesier is hereby
empowered by the respective Corporations to Negotiate
a Loan for them of £200, for which they will give
good landed Security, namely the parsonage house and
old Glebe lands." The instructions given Mr. Mesier
were:
86
The Records oj Christ Church
Sir
You will make application to the Corporation of Trinity
Church in New York for that purpose. We flatter ourselves
they will not be unconcerned spectators at what may be the
ruin of two of their sister Churches, when it is in their power,
without hazarding their Interest, to prevent it.
Be pleased to inform them wherein the necessity of the
measure is founded. It arises from these circumstances, —
the late war eventually shut up our Churches, our Clergyman
was removed, and our respective Congregations greatly im-
poverished and dispersed, previous to which period we had in-
curred a very considerable debt in purchasing a Glebe and
erecting two churches.
The pajTiients not being all completed, the Confusion of the
Times occasioned great losses in our outstanding debts, be-
sides the depreciated currency paid in to us, which remained
on our hands, and, Mr. Desbrosses and others residing in New
York at the time, it was Impossible to make payment to thenu
At the commencement of the peace we Settled a Clergyman,
but, being deprived of the Society aid, reduced as we found
ourselves in point of nmnbers and abihty, it required our whole
attention, and left arrearages unprovided for.
The increasing reputation of the Churches here, and the
pleasing prospect of their increase, give us every reason
for hope. Our embarassment arises from this source, — our
Creditors here, many of them for inconsiderable sums, have
become Clamorous for a mortgage on the parsonage, and not
having it ui our power to satisfy all, are reduced to the alter-
native either to borrow money to pay them off, or Comply with
their request; the danger of which must be obvious, upon this
ground, — Should any person among them be Hi-inclined, or
straightened in their circumstances, we shall be at their mercy
in having the mortgage foreclosed, accumulated Cost to de-
fray, the Glebe sold for an inconsiderable sum, our Pastor ob-
liged to leave us, and the Churches annihilated.
If the Church in New York will reach forth her helpiog hand
in Complying with our request, we shall escape these serious
diflSculties, and she be perfectly secure.
This application may be considered by some gentlemen as
extraordinary — our situation is peculiar — but, to avoid pro-
lixity, we shall only add that our Confidence is such in your
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The Records oj Christ Church
knowledge of the state of our Churches that you will be able
■ to vouch for most of the Facts herein Contained.
We are with Friendship and esteem Sir
Your humble servants
Ebenezer Badger, Sec'y, in behalf of Christ
Church.
John Cooke, in behalf of Trinity Church.
To Peter Mesier, Esq.
Peter Mesier, thus appointed to negotiate a mortgage
loan from Trinity Church, had been a prosperous mer-
chant in New York City before the war. He was an
ardent Tory, and after the war his property in New
York was confiscated; he therefore came to Dutchess
County and made a new home for himself. The house
he built is still standing in the village of Wappingers
Falls, in Mesier Park, opposite Zion Church, and, as this
point was midway between the Poughkeepsie and Fish-
kill churches, and he was a staunch Churchman, he gave
valuable support to both parishes until his death in 1805.
He rented a pew in Christ Church at almost every auc-
tion from 1788 to 1805, and frequently served in the
Fishkill vestry.
The application of the Churches to Trinity was, on
this occasion, unsuccessful, and in April, 1791, upon the
departure of Mr. Van Dyck, the glebe-house and a few
adjoining acres were leased to Christian Forrey, who
remained a tenant until the autumn of 1792. Then, on
November 14th, the Corporation of Christ Church sold
the house and two hundred and fifty acres of land to
John and Andrew Dunn, under a mortgage for £1000.0.0.
One half of the principal of the mortgage was to be
paid July 1st, 1793, but the Dunns failed to meet this
obligation and left Poughkeepsie. The place was there-
fore rented again, and occupied for sixteen months by
88
The Records ofChrist Church
WilJiam Davis. July 22d, 1795, an auction was held and
the glebe sold for £1000.0.0 to Nathaniel Bosworth,
who had been in actual possession since April 1st. By
the terms of the sale, payment was to be made in three
installments; Bosworth, however, on January 20th, 1796,
transferred his recent purchase to Peter De Riemer, and
the latter completed the payments to the Corporation,
all together, two days later.
With part of its share of the cash received from De
Riemer, Christ Church paid the principal and interest
of its bond to Richard Davis, and thus, in April, 1796,
some twenty years after its erection, the church building
stood free and clear of debt.
In the proceeds of the sale of the glebe, the Church at
Fishkill had a joint interest with that at Poughkeepsie,
and the disposal of the property brought to a close the
indeterminate negotiations which had intermittently
taken place between the two vestries ever since the
arbitration of 1785.^ Articles of union had been drafted
by each, and proposed for adoption, in order that the
progress of the parishes might be accelerated; but no
agreement could be reached, because Trinity made the
conveyance to them of one-half of the glebe a first con-
dition to their assent to any other articles, and that
course the Poughkeepsie vestry believed to be inconsis-
tent with the charter.
With gratitude be it said that this tedious entangle-
ment came to a happy ending on January 2d, 1797,
amidst the utmost harmony and good will, and with all
disagreements wiped out and forgotten. A meeting was
held at Poughkeepsie on that day, at which Trinity
Church was represented by Daniel C. Verplanck, James
1 Appendix, Fishkill papers.
89
The Records ofChrist Church
Cooper and Peter Mesier, and Christ Church by William
Emott, Robert Noxon, Ebenezer Badger, Thomas
Mitchell, Archibald Stewart and James Bramble. All
accounts between the two Churches were audited and
settled, and the Vestry Minutes of Christ Church add
that '' the whole of the foregoing business was conducted
with the most perfect unanimity; not a dissenting vote
appeared on any question agitated by the representa-
tives of either of the Churches in the above settlement."
As soon as the sale of the glebe to Nathaniel Bosworth
had been effected in the summer of 1795, the vestry of
Christ Church appointed the Rev. Mr. Spierin, Archi-
bald Stewart, Cadwallader D. Colden and John Davis
a committee "to Sollicit in behalf of this Corporation,
by Petition, from the Corporation of Trinity Church,
some pecuniary assistance," which committee lodged
the following with the New York vestry :
To the Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York
in Communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
State of New York.
The Petition of the Rector and Inhabitants of Poughkeep-
sie in Commimion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
State of New York,
Respectfully Sheweth
That your Petitioners, about the Commencement of the late
Revolution, built their Church,, Relying, to pay for it, on Sub-
scriptions which had been obtained for the purpose.
That, war coming on, most of the Subscribers forsook their
Country and left your petitioners loaded with a heavy debt,
which, with the accumulated Interest of many years, they
have lately been oblidged to Sell their Parsonage to discharge.
That the Embarrasments of your petitioners have been
Increased by the great Expences of Several Law Suits in which
they have been involved by persons who pretend a Right to
their property.
That these persons, it is believed, were encouraged to renew
90
The Records ojChrist Church
their Suits, Notwithstanding the Repeated Decisions of the
Courts of Law against them, not only by their Enmity to the
prosperity of the Episcopal Church, but, knowing the Low
State of the Finances of your Petitioners, by a hope, not with-
out some Foundation, that your petitioners will be obUdged
to Sacrifice their Right to a want of means to defend it.
That their Circumstances Render it Extremely difficult for
your petitioners to afford a Clergyman Such a Support as will
be an inducement for him to Remain with them.
Your Petitioners, knowing the prosperity and wealth of
your Corporation, and hearing of the Liberality you have so
Generously Extended towards others, are induced to Solicit
that your Bounty may be extended to assist a Church as much
in want as any other Can be. Which, being the only one in so
populous and Respectable a County, is better Calculated than
most others to Cherish the Episcopal Interest and to Extend
its Influence, and which, without some assistance, is in great
danger of Declining.
And your Petitioners will ever pray &c
Septemb 5, 1795. By Order of the Corporation
Arch Stewart Sec'ry.
This petition describes a source of anxiety to which the
Corporation of Christ Church had been subjected,
second only to that of the debt on the church building.
There are endless references in the Vestry Minutes^ and
in the loose manuscripts of the parish, to the annoyances
suffered from the lesser tenants of the glebe-lands, who
failed to meet their rent, and from the squatters and
trespassers with whom the vestry was forced to go to
law. The Court always upheld the title of the Corpora-
tion, but the expense of these recurrent suits became a
serious drain upon the resources of the congregation.
Samuel Curry occasioned the most trouble; the first
suit against him he allowed to go by default in 1787:
the vestry then ejected him under a writ issued by the
Superior Court, and he retaliated by bringing an eject-
ment suit against the Corporation. The vestry had the
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The Records oj Christ Church
counsel of Egbert Benson and Cadwallader D. Golden,
and when Curry's attempted ejectment came before the
Supreme Court in June, 1795, it was non-suited.^ Some
of the lesser trespassers were John Copeman, John and
Joseph Seabury and Elias Du Bois, against whom judg-
ments were obtained in the Court of Common Pleas in
favor of the Corporation.
In a letter,^ to Mr. Beardsley, about this time, William
Emott described Christ Church as "in reduced circum-
stances from the falling ojff of the Fishkill congregation
which is nearly extinct," and this decrease in the num-
ber of those contributing toward the support of the Rector
was undoubtedly one of the causes which led to the
brevity of the rectorates of Mr. Spierin and Mr. Sayrs,
who were Mr. Van Dyck's successors; another cause
was that no parsonage was provided for their use;
George Hartwell Spierin was Rector from November 13th,
1792, to December 9th, 1795, and John Johnson Sayrs
from December 25th, 1795, to February 14th, 1798.
Mr. Spierin arrived just as the glebe was sold to John
and Andrew Dunn, and Mr. Sayrs just after it passed to
Nathaniel Bosworth, and neither of them had the use or
benefit of house or land. Also, the Dutch Church had
acquired a pastor, and it is to be supposed that those
of its members who had attended the English Church
only temporarily had now withdrawn their support.
Discouraging as were all these circumstances, there
were still occasional manifestations of better things.
January 14th, 1789, "Vestry, impressed with a sense of
the inconvenience the Congregation have long labored un-
der for want of a bell, opened a subscription to enable
1 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 14.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers, No. 14.
92
MAP OF THE GLEBE IN 1787
Showing the trespass of Samuel Curry
~m
The Records oj Christ Church
them to purchase a suitable one," with the result that
£46.11.4 were pledged by :
B. Ebenezer Badger; Theodorus Bailey; Valentine Baker;
Isaac Balding; Isaac Balding Jr.; William Balding Jr.;
William Barber; Egbert Benson; Jacob Bogardus.
C. David Carpenter; Francois Chandonet; John Cooke;
James Cooper; John Crooke.
D. John Davis; Richard Davis; Richard de Cantillon; Du
Bois & Bailey.
E. William Emott; Richard Everitt.
G. John Gullen.
H. Stephen Hendricksen.
K. Jonas Kelcey.
L. Daniel Lefferts; Beekman Livingston; Robert H. Living-
ston; Livingston & Kent.
M. Silas Marsh Junr.; Peter Mesier; Henry Mott; John
Mott.
P. Thomas Poole; Nicholas Power; John Pride.
R. Capt. Rutgers.
S."^ Daniel Smith; Israel Smith; James Scott Smith; Samuel
Smith; Stephen Stephens; Archibald Stewart.
T. Peter Tappen.
V. Myndert Van Kleeck.
A bell of three hundred pounds weight was purchased
in September, 1790^ of Doolittle & Goodyear, bell
founders of Hartford, Conn., for £43.12.18. This
acquisition was soon supplemented by a clock, the
vestry, on December 21st, 1790, resolving "that the
thanks of this Corporation be presented to Major
1 In 1789 John Davis negotiated for a bell for the church with
David Ross, bell founder, of Elizabeth Town, N. J., which negotia-
tions fell through. This correspondence (on file) shows that Davis
ordered of Ross, in June, 1789, a two hundred and fifty pound bell for
the Poughkeepsie Court House.
93
The Records ofChrist Church
Andrew Billings for the elegant Time piece he has pre-
sented to our Church."
As first built, the church had no spire, only the square
wooden foundation for one, and in 1792 the vestry
desired Henry Mott "to prepare a draft for finishing the
Church steeple," but this lesser matter was crowded out
for several years by pressure of greater, and it was not
until April, 1797, that Captain John Mott was " appointed
to view the situation of the steeple of the Church and or-
der such repairs as are necessary." A few months later
the vestry voted " to open a subscription for erecting a
steeple," and, on December 7th, 1797, £251.4.0 was
pledged. The lists contain the names of:
B. Ebenezer Badger; Theodorus Bailey; John Bailey; Isaac
Balding; William Barber; Jolin Beckwith; William W.
Bogardus; Jabez Bosworth; James Bramble.
C. Matthew Caldwell; David Carpenter; Thomas Carr;
John Cooke; John Crooke.
D. John Davis; Richard Davis; William Davies; Peter De
Riemer; Samuel DeRiemer; Lyman Dunning; Abraham
I. Duryea.
E. William Emott; Anthony Ernst; Richard Everitt;
George B. Evertson.
F. JohnForbus; Jacobus Frear; JohnFrear.
G. AbelGunn.
H. Stephen Hendrickson; JohnHobson; Anthony Hoffman;
Abraham Hoffman; Stephen Hoyt.
J. Samuel Johnson; John Johnston Esq.
K. Benjamin Knower.
L. John Landers; John Laroy; John Lawless, (timber);
Morgan Lewis; Gilbert Livingston; Henry A. Livingston.
M. John Manney; Levi McKean; Thomas Mitchell;
William Moore; John Mott; Henry Mott; Ebenezer
Mott; Peter Myers.
N. Daniel Nash; Robert Noxon.
94
The Records ojChrist Church
P. William Palmatier, (cartage); John Patten; Abraham
Pells; Hendriek Pells.
R. Peter W. Radclift; John Reade; Henry Relay; John
Richmond; Matthew Rothery.
S. The Rev. John J. Sayrs; Philip I. Schuyler; Paul
Schenck; Abel Smith; James Scott Smith; John Smith,
(5 days work); Josiah Smith; WiUiam Smith; Archibald
Stewart; Solomon Sutherland.
T. Elizabeth Tappen; George Taylor; Smith Thompson;
James Thome; Thomas TiUotson.
V. Elias VanBunschoten; Isaac Van Kleeck; James Living-
ston Van Kleeck; Myndert Van KJeeck; John P. Vemont;
William B. Verplanck.
W. John Wigg; Robert Williams.
In the summer of 1798 the work was carried out, and
the bills and other treasurer's memoranda afford an
excellent idea of what was done. There was a belfry,
approached by a door and stairs, lighted by an oval
window, and surrounded by a balustrade; the spire
itself was decorated with scrolls, and surmounted by a
lightning rod, a gilded vane, and a gilded copper ball
that weighed nineteen pounds and a quarter.
August 14th, 1789, the vestry voted to give up the
seal they adopted in 1773 when the charter was conferred,
on which a ship was represented, and to substitute for it
the one, now in use, bearing an ark, a dove with an
olive branch and a rainbow. The resolution making
this change offers no explanation for it, and we are left
free to weave about the action a web of our own senti-
ment. Did those matter-of-fact, practical men consider
that their parochial ship had come safely through the
storms of war to the harbor of peace, and did they wish to
show their appreciation of the fact? Shall this seal of
our Corporation stand, therefore, to this generation, as
the symbol of the living faith of our forefathers? And
95
The Records ofChrist Church
as an earnest to us of our own faith that the parish we
love will, in adversity and in prosperity, be preserved
in the safety of the ark and the peace of the olive
branch, to the hope and promise of the rainbow? ^
In 1791 the vestry requested James Kent, member of
Assembly for Dutchess, to petition the Legislature to
alter the name of the Corporation (as bestowed by the
colonial charter) to conform to later political changes,
which was done, the new title being "The Rector and
Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York.'*
James Kent, afterward the famous Chancellor, was a
resident of Poughkeepsie from 1781 to 1793. He came
here to study law in the office of Egbert Benson, and was
admitted to the bar in 1785, entering into partnership
with Gilbert Livingston. After Christ Church secured
a Rector in 1787, he contributed to the support of the
parish.
It may, perhaps, be traceable to the fact that the Rev.
Henry Van Dyck was a lawyer before he entered the
ministry that, during his rectorate, an elaborate set of
by-laws for the vestry was drawn up. They were
adopted February 19th, 1790, and throw some light
upon the conduct of the ordinary affairs of the parish.
For instance, quarterly vestry meetings were held, and
a standing committee transacted business in the inter-
vals; there was a collector for the Rector's salary, and
his collections, and those of vestrymen on Sundays and
Holy Days, were to be paid over to a treasurer appointed
1 On the Great Seal of the United States, adopted June 20th, 1782,
the American eagle bears an olive branch in one claw. To what extent
may the Seal of the Nation have served as a suggestion for that of this
parish?
96
The Records ojChrist Church
by the vestry. The parish clerk, appointed by the
Rector to assist in divine service, was exempt from salary
dues, and had the use of a pew for his family; he was to
receive two shillings for each baptism he recorded in the
parish register, and the minister was to recommend to
parents and others that they have baptisms recorded.
The sexton, appointed by the Rector, was to be paid at
the rate of two shillings for each Sunday and Holy Day
when there was service; he was "to decorate the Church
on Christmas according to ancient usage," "to put up
and take down the hangings, open and shut the Church
doors, regulate the time piece, sweep the Church as
often as may be necessary, ring the bell, notify Vestry
meetings, and prevent disorders in time of Divine ser-
vice," and also to mark out and open graves and attend
all funerals in the churchyard.
Soon after Mr. Van Dyck's settlement as Rector in
1787, the Vestry Minutes say, on September 4th, "that
Mr. Sands attended with an application from a number of
gentlemen of the Manor of Livingston for a part of Mr.
Van Dyck's services, to the end that a Church may be set
on foot among them. Vestry informed Mr. Sands that
they agree to spare Mr. Van Dyck one-sixth part of the
time if it suits his convenience to attend them."
Whether this group of Episcopalians were the same as
one at Red Hook is uncertain ; the Manor of Livingston
is not mentioned again, but, on March 24th, 1788, Mr.
Van Dyck notified the vestry that "the Episcopalians
at Red Hook also have requested me in their name to
apply to you for a further addition of every fifth Sunday
if agreeable to you," and, on June 3rd, he reported that
"his service at Red Hook has commenced already on
Sunday 1st of June, 1788," the arrangement being that
97
The Records of Christ Church
he was to give, there, one out of every three of the Sun-
days he had previously pledged to Christ Church. This
must have been an abortive attempt to found a parish
where now is St. Paul's Church, Tivoli. The writer
knows of no further efforts there until about 1816, when
services were held by the Rev. Henry Anthon, and St.
Paul's admitted into union with the diocese in 1817.
Faint flutterings of Church life are also seen again, at
this time, in the town of Beekman. On June 10th,
1793 (under the Act of the Legislature of April 6th,
1784), Benjamin Snider, John Halstead, William D.
Williams, Major William Clark, Major Bartholomew
Van der Burgh and James Cornell were elected Trustees^
of the "Protestant Episcopal church assembled at
Beekmantown in County of Dutchess," and agreed that
the name of that Church should be St. Ann's. In the
Diocesan Convention of 1794 Mr. Stephen J. DeLancey
was present "for Beekmantown," and was recommended
for Deacon's Orders in compHance with a request from
the trustees and members of St. Ann's. St. Ann's was
quickly lost to view, and has left no trace. About
1850, St. Mary's Mission, at Poughquag in the town
of Beekman, was under the charge of the Rev. Homer
Wheaton of Lithgow; but that also was short lived,
and the Episcopal Church is not at present represented
there.
The personnel of the congregation of Christ Church
in this time of transition is a matter of some moment.
Writing to Mr. Beardsley in 1796, William Emott said:^
"Few, very Few, of your old flock remain here; a new
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 21.
2 Appendix, Beardsley papers. No. 14,
98
The Records ofChrist Church
set of men Supply their places;" a statement substantiat-
ed by a study of the various lists of names provided by
the parish records. Some families, of several households
each, like the Baldwins, the Motts and the Noxons, and
some ever faithful individuals held over from Mr.
Beardsley's day, and William Emott and the Davises
continued to be the controlling power; but new men
supplanted most of those of the pre-Revolutionary
period. Among these, Ebenezer Badger should have
honorable mention, for as pewholder, vestryman,
warden, he was a devoted member of the parish for
fifty years. He owned a tannery on the northwest
corner of Main and Washington streets, and "lived in a
pleasant house, surrounded by a garden famous for its
lilacs and other flowers, where the City Hall now stands."^
Captain Israel Smith of the Continental Line, one of the
founders of the New York branch of the Society of the
Cincinnati, was in partnership with Gilbert Livingston
in the river trade, and belongs to these post-bellum days
in the parish. In this time, also, were begun the years
of service in the vestry of Archibald Stewart of Pough-
keepsie, and of Daniel Lefferts of the town of Clinton,
both prosperous merchants. Some of the well known
men of the town were brought into relation with Christ
Church by means of the fact that their wives were
Episcopalians. Major Andrew Billings, Revolutionary
patriot and expert silversmith, who lived in a house still
standing on the northeast corner of Academy and Can-
non streets, long held a pew in Christ Church for his
wife, Cornelia Livingston; and her uncle, Gilbert
Livingston, paid his wife, Catherine Crannell, a like
courtesy. Two other men in this class were Quakers;
1 Piatt's History of Poughkeepsie, pp. 84-85.
99
The Records ofChrist Church
Valentine Baker, one of the largest taxpayers in Pough-
keepsie, and Levi McKeen, a banker, whose house was
approached by a lane leading from Main street to his
garden gate, which lane thereby came to be called
Garden street.
It has been mentioned earlier in this chapter that in
1795 a petition for financial help was sent by Christ
Church to Trinity Corporation. Although the vestry
in New York voted favorably upon this petition not long
after it was presented, it was three years before their
gift of £500 .0.0 was received by Christ Church, and,
when it came, it was in the form of a mortgage on No. 51
Chapel street. New York City. Attached to the gift
was the express condition that the money should be used
for a glebe or parsonage, which was in accordance with
the policy Trinity then followed. The donation to
Christ Church was one of a large number made to
congregations in New York State just at that time for
that purpose, and herein lies the explanation of the
failure of the first request for aid made by Christ
Church, which had suggested that a mortgage against
the glebe at Poughkeepsie should be taken and held by
Trinity.
When the vestry of Christ Church offered their thanks
for this timely assistance they added: "the good effects
to be derived from this gratuity, under the smiles of
Divine providence, will, we trust, be transmitted to the
Church of which we are members, for ages to come.
Suitable donations, to such churches in the country
as are proper objects, is a measure which will increase
their prosperity beyond all calculation, and will aid them
to support their pastors in a manner more congenial
with their feelings, a thing devoutly to be wished for."
100
The Records of Christ Church
Names of Pewholders
1785-1798
The pews were sold annually, at auction, except during vacan-
cies in the Rectorship. The individuals, whose names are here given,
did not all buy pews every year, but the list includes all those who did
purchase from 1785 to 1798:
A. John Addison; Henry Ames.
B. Ebenezer Badger; Theodorus Bailey; William Bailey;
Valentine Baker; Isaac Baldin Jr. ; William Baldin; Isaac
Balding Sr.; Isaac Balding; William Barber; Egbert
Benson; Henry Benson; Andrew Billings; James Bram-
ble.
C. Harry Caldwell; Caleb Carman; Francois Chandonet;
Cadwallader D. Colden; John Cooke; James Cooper;
Samuel Cooper; John Crooke.
D. John Davis; Richard Davis; Richard DeCantillon;
Lewis DuBois; Mrs. DuBois; Daniel Duffee; Charles
H. Duncan; Andrew Dunn; John Durm; Abram T.
Duryea; John Dusenbury.
E. William Emott; Richard Everitt.
F. John I. Ferdon; John Z. Ferdon; Zachariah Ferdon- ( ? )
Field.
G. Robert Gill; John GuUon; Abel Gunn.
H. Charles Hay; Udney Hay; Stephen Hendricksen; An-
thony Hoffman; Stephen A. Hopkins.
I. Duncan Ingraham.
K. Jonas Kelcey; William Kettletas; Benjamin Knower.
L. Daniel Lefferts; John Le Roy; Gilbert Livingston; Hen-
ry Livingston Sr. ; William Louder.
M. Silas Marsh Jr.; Levi McKean; Peter Mesier; James
Mills; Thomas Mitchell; Henry Mott; John Mott;
Samuel Mott.
N. Robert Noxon.
P. Samuel Pinkney; Charles Piatt; Thomas Poole; Nicho-
las Power; John Price; James Pritchard.
R. John Reade; Ezekiel Roe; Eliza Rogers; Mathew Roth-
ery; Asa Rutza; Henry Rutzer.
101
The Records ofChrist Church
S.| Abel Smith; Daniel Smith; Israel Smith; James S.
Smith; John Smith; "Capt. Samuel Smith of Poughkeep-
sie;" Archibald Stewart.
T. John Tappen; Peter Tappen; Tunis Tappen; John
Thomas; Robert Thome; Asahal Thrasher; George
Turnbull.
V. Elias Van Bimschoten; John E. Van Bunschoten; Jane
Van Kleeck; Myndert Van Kleeck; John P. Vemont;
Samuel Verplanek.
W. Richard Warner; Robert Williams; John Wilson; Me-
lancthon L. Woolsey.
10^
CHAPTER V
1798-1810
the purchase of a parsonage. the rectorate of the
rev. philander chase. the organization of st.
Peter's church, lithgow. the parish register.
DIOCESAN convention HELD IN CHRIST CHURCH. THE
RECTORATE OF THE REV. BARZILLAI BULKLEY. THE
SETTLEMENT WITH THE REV. JOHN BEARDSLEY. IM-
PROVEMENTS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH. THE
PURCHASE OF AN ORGAN. NAMES OF PEWHOLDERS,
1800-1809.
IT has been stated that the gift of Trinity Corporation
to Christ Church was made in the form of a mort-
gage on New York City real estate. More ac-
curately, the £500 donated was composed of the prin-
cipal of the mortgage (£341.5.0), eight months interest
due (£15.18.6), and £142.16.6 in cash. The bond
and mortgage and the currency were received on June
25th, 1798, and the vestry decided to try to convert the
mortgage into ready money in order to be able to pay
promptly for the new parsonage which this gift was
intended to provide. Some difficulty was encountered
in getting the mortgage paid off, and, while the attempt
to collect it dragged along, they discussed whether it
would be wiser to build a house themselves, or to buy one.
The first proposition so far prevailed in the beginning
that the necessary building materials were purchased,
and the location of the proposed house considered;
one plan was to acquire a lot on Church street, then
103
The Records oj Christ Church
newly opened and plotted, which would have been con-
veniently near the church building; another, which
William Emott recommended, was to build upon the
twenty-three acre lot, but that was objected to because
Mr. Beardsley had never ceased to press his claim to the
land since his removal to New Brunswick.
Mr. Emott made a long report to the vestry in Febru-
ary, 1799, containing the arguments for and against these
two suggestions, his conclusion being that, whether a
house were bought or built, one should be in readiness
for a clergyman by May 1st, 1800, for, said he, naively,
"the interest of the Church requires an attempt to be
made for the Settelment of a Discreet pious Clergyman of
an unblemished Reputation. Such a character, by
proper industry, and attention to the poor as well as the
more opulent, would have a tendency to Collect our
scattered flock and dissipate that Lukewarmness and
infidelity which prevail in the minds of many, and, under
the smiles of providence would increase our numbers.
Respectability, and Resources. To accomplish this
desireable purpose, great exertions must be made by the
hearty friends of the Church among us by their personal
services and liberal contributions. I take it, that, to
ensure a probability of obtaining a suitable Minister,
we ought to be enabled to offer him a Salary of £180
per year and a parsonage house and lot of £40, amount-
ing to £220."
In the spring of 1799 opinion veered from the plan
to build to that of buying, and, on June 4th, John
Davis, William Davies and William Emott were ap-
pointed a committee "to confer with Mr. William Smith
respecting purchasing his house for a parsonage house, —
and if the house will answer, and they can agree upon
104
The Records ojChrist Church
a price, they are authorized to purchase the farm for that
purpose."
WilHam Smith had bought his house and lot "opposite
the Academy" on May 18th, 1796, subject to a mort-
gage for £150. The house being favorably considered
by the vestry, they ordered the building materials they
had bought to be sold, and this property to be acquired.
Richard Davis loaned £130 and William Davies £50
to accomplish the purchase, and on August 1st, 1799,
the Church came into possession of the house which is
still standing on the southeast corner of Academy and
Cannon streets. The consideration named in the deed^
was $1,250.00, and the original mortgage,^ executed by
William Smith, bears an endorsement that on October
14th, 1800, the principal and interest were paid in full by
William Emott, treasurer of Christ Church. The
cancellation of the mortgage was made possible by the
collection on September 13th, preceding, of $967.50 on
Trinity's donation.
In the correspondence regarding its gift to Christ
Church, Trinity Corporation had been represented by
Andrew Hammersley, a vestryman, who, when he made
over the money and securities, delivered himself of the
following delicious bit: "Your next view is, I sopose, a
Minister; my opinion is, if he is a Man of real piety he
will be a great advantage to your Church & if he lacks
that Qualification he will be a great hurt; he ought to be
one who understands his business also."
To procure this paragon of piety and practicality was
the next task of the vestry. After the departure of the
Rev, John Johnson Sayrs, the fourth Rector, it had been
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 16, p. 64,
2 Christ Church Parish Mss., Parsonage Papers, No. 8.
105
The Records of C hr i s t Church
voted that the church should be opened on Sundays, and
service conducted each week by the members of the
vestry in rotation; a committee was also appointed to
confer with a Fishkill committee in regard to the vacant
Rectorship. On April 4th, 1799, Messrs. John Davis,
John Reade and Stephen Hoyt were appointed a com-
mittee "to engage a Clergyman," and in the course of the
summer two candidates applied, upon neither of whom
was an agreement reached by the two parishes. By
autumn the name of Philander Chase was under con-
sideration; when, or by whom, he was first mentioned
does not appear, but a letter written by Peter Mesier to
Stephen Hoyt, secretary of the vestry of Christ Church,
in favor of a proposal that had been made to call Mr.
Chase, is of interest in its disclosure of the reputation
the latter had already achieved in the Church, although
he had been in Deacon's Orders but a little over a year.
Mr. Chase had been doing the work of an itinerant minis-
ter in the towns of central and western New York, and
had thrown himself into his duties with all the vigor of
his youth and the natural fervor of his temperament.
He was New Hampshire born, a graduate of Dartmouth,
and was not yet twenty-four years old.
Fishkill October 19, 1799.
Sir
The committee appointed by the Vestry of this place for
the purpose of procuring a Rector have, in consequence of your
letter, had a meeting.
We are highly pleased to discover that there exists in your
Vestry a determination to give so respectable a salary, and will
most wilhngly contribute our proportion as stipulated in your
letter, provided the Character fixed on pleases our Congrega-
tion.
Without makmg any comments upon either Mr. Van Horn
or Mr. Chase, or contrasting their reputations as preachers in
106
THE PARSONAGE
Purchased 1799 Sold 1852
Occupied by the Rev. Philander Chase, the Rev. Barzillai Bulkley
and the Rev. Dr. John Reed
The Records ofCkrist Church
the least, we are decidedly of opinion that the latter Gentle-
man obtains greatly the preference here, and will most cor-
dially concur with you in procuring him as Rector.
We presume that the establishment of Mr. Chase in this
Congregation will be of a very considerable advantage to the
Church, especially as the members calculate upon a Consider-
able accession, provided the preacher is a man of his merits.
The difficulty which prevents his accepting at present, de-
cidedly, a Call here, you are acquainted with; and we enter-
tain from his representation of the circumstances that a little
negotiation will remove every obstacle.
No inconvenience can possibly arise from making the at-
tempt, except a trifling delay, and the obtaining ultimately so
valuable a Rector, and one so universally esteemed is, in our
estimation, an object worth the experiment.
The particular conduct to be adopted, and the manner in
which the wished for event may be brought to pass, we will
most willingly communicate, provided you will relinquish Mr.
Van Horn, and concur with us in measures calculated to pro-
mote the interest and welfare of both Congregations.
I am with Respect
Sir your most Obed't
Peter Mesier.
The difficulty to which this letter refers lay in an
engagement that Mr. Chase had entered into with St.
Peter's Church at Stamford in Delaware County, New
York; he was anxious to come to Poughkeepsie, and
ready to do so if this previous arrangement could be
given up, and, in a letter addressed to Stephen Hoyt, he
replied to the call extended to him by the Poughkeepsie
and Fishkill Churches in a characteristically enthusiastic
manner :
Dear Sir
I received yours of the 28th of October, yesterday. I de-
clare to you that I feel myself highly honored by the proposals
made to me by the Vestry in Poughkeepsie; but as to a speedy
answer, you Sir, and all, know that it must depend on the suc-
cess of the favorite Project. If this could be brought about to
107
The Records ofCkrist Church
the satisfaction of all parties, my consent to reside in Pough-
keepsie, and be the Rector of the Church there, would be most
cordially given.
I feel myself immensely attached to the good people in
Fishkill, and if possible still more to those who live in the hap-
py Village of Poughkeepsie. May God bless them all ! ! I
wait the event,
I have seen Mr. T — y, your worthy friend. Mr. P — r, all
last evening, was with me here at Mr. Mesier's, & you may,
without the assistance of magic power, give a guess how the
time was spent.
The latter part of your Epistle contains my — I had almost
said Death warrant — 'That I shall forfeit the esteem of the
people at P — . if I do not preach there next Sunday.'
I plead in behalf of my own life — that a previous appoint-
ment with the Bishop renders it impossible. Next Thursday
I am to be in York, ready for an examination, and, if found
worthy, H — Orders will on the Sunday following be conferred
on me.
For your family's kind respects to me please to return my
hearty thanks, and make my love to them all. Their affec-
tionate treatment to me, are they not written in my heart?
I wish we had been acquainted more with each other — I have
every (reason) to suppose that I should (have) been highly
hon'd & gratified.
The answer to the Call — it will be given as soon as possible.
Mr. P^r and you possess all the information that is necessary
on the subject. Act your pleasure — God speed the happy
time is the Prayer of one who loves you all. —
Philander Chase.
Nov'r 4th 1799
Capt. Hoyt.
**Mr. P.", of whom Mr. Chase speaks, was Joseph
Parker of Poughkeepsie, who was sent to Stamford as the
business agent of the vestry of Christ Church to obtain
a release for Mr. Chase from his obligation to St. Peter's.
Parker gained the consent of the vestry of St. Peter's
to Mr. Chase's acceptance of the call to Poughkeepsie
and Fishkill, on condition that they be paid one hundred
108
The Records ojChrist Church
dollars, in four quarterly installments of twenty-five
dollars each, the last payment to be due in March, 1801.
The papers in this transaction are all on file, and show
that Christ Church agreed to the condition and paid the
bonus as required.
Mr. Chase, having been advanced to the Priesthood
by Bishop Provoost in New York on November 10th,
formally accepted his call on November 22d:
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 28tli of October, written to me
in behalf of the Vestries of Christs Church at Poughkeepsie
and Trinity Church at Fishkill, I can now inform you that I
accept of the Call to the Rectory of the two Churches with my
hearty thanks for their kind attention to me.
I am now ready to wait on them, when and where they shall
appoint, to interchange such articles of agreement as shall be
thought proper; — and then to take Charge of the Church in
due form.
I am, with esteem, & friend-
ship, yours and the Vestries
Poughkeepsie most obedient and
Novem'r 22nd very humble
AD. 1799 servant
To Stephen Hoyt, Philander Chase.
Agent for the Churches at
Poughkeepsie & Fishkill.
Articles of agreement were signed on November 27th,
1799, whereby Mr. Chase was given the use of the par-
sonage, and was to receive $300.00 a year from Christ
Church and $200.00 from Trinity; in return he was to
officiate two-thirds of the time at Poughkeepsie and one-
third at Fishkill.
The connection of Philander Chase with this parish was
meteoric. His stay was brief, his ministration distinc-
tive, it left few permanent traces ; but it stands out in the
life-story of Christ Church with brilliancy and clearness.
109
The Records ofChrist Church
Chase was a vivid personaL'ty, and on fire with enthusi-
asm for his calling; so much so that, in contact with his
ardent spirit, old measures, old conditions, were clothed
in new and vital light; so much so, too, that, truth to
tell, he overshadowed all other personalities, and domi-
nated and absorbed the wills of those about him. It may
be attributable to this cause that so strong a man left no
more lasting an impression upon the character of Christ
Church. His intensity swept all before it, and attained
whatever object he, himself, aimed for; but there was
no room left for the cooperation of the laity. An instance
of this is found in an entry in the treasurer's ledger, in
the statement of the personal account of Richard Davis,
that "Mr. Davis, having, in the year 1801, disagreed
with Mr. Chase, and not having afterwards attended
divine service," &c, &c. Here were two positive natures,
the man of sixty-seven, and the youth of twenty-six;
the former, for a period equalling the latter's whole
life time, had given of self, of time, of money, to the
parish, and the latter, a mere stripling as he must have
seemed to Davis, was newly come into the Church.
And yet the stripHng remained in possession of the field!
The incident is both humorous and pathetic, and, in its
practical result, may be taken as an indication of the
passing of the lay influence, which, for a generation, had
controlled parochial affairs.
The presence of Mr. Chase made itself felt in ways the
people were unfamiliar with. Arriving, as he did, at a
moment when the debt on the church building was paid,
a new parsonage acquired, and all causes of difference
with Trinity Church, Fishkill, removed, it was possible
for him to institute some of the charitable work in which
his warm heart delighted. He made a great point of the
110
THE REV. PHILANDER CHASE
Rector of Christ Church, 1799-1805
From a miniature painted on ivory about 1798
The Re cor ds of C hr i s t Church
disposition of the Communion alms, and rendered full
account of his use of them; typical of his work and of
his fervid style of expression is this entry: "for Mr.
Bulmer, being a man far gone in a deep decline, having
a large family of small children." Some of the alms were
given at private Communions, of which there is no men-
tion in the parish before this time. In 1803 a disastrous
fire occurred in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and he
immediately opened a subscription for the relief of the
sufferers, succeeding in collecting a respectable sum for
them.
His missionary zeal overflowed the boundaries of his
fixed charge, and, in 1801, he gave public notice^ in the
town of Washington, Dutchess County, that, on May
12th, a meeting would be held near Lithgow to consider
the organization of a parish there. The meeting took
place, Mr. Chase acting as clerk, and a vestry was
elected, two of its members being Ebenezer Mott and
William Terry, men who had been affiliated with Christ
Church for many years. It is reasonable to suppose
that this little group of Episcopalians in the town of
Washington might be traced in their origin to the
influence of that Nine Partners congregation in the same
vicinity, which was part of Mr. Seabury's and Mr.
Beardsley's pastoral charge. The parish at Lithgow,
named St. Peter's, was incorporated May 15th, 1801,^
and is still in existence, though outgrown by its
daughter, Grace Church, Millbrook. Mr. Chase asked
the consent of the Poughkeepsie and Fishkill Churches
for his absence from them four Sundays a year to hold
1 Parish records of St. Peter's Church, Lithgow, N. Y.
2 Dutchess County Clerk's records. Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 36.
Ill
The Records of C hr i st Church
service at Lithgow, and also for time in which to
minister in the town of Franklin,^ where a parochial
organization had been effected in 1796.^
December 20th, 1800, the Vestry Minutes record
that "the Rev. Mr. Chase laid before the Vestry
a letter from a Committee of the Vestry of St. Mark's
Church in New York, giving him a Call to the Rector-
ship of the Church with a salary of $1,000.00 per year.
On which the Vestry, on mature deliberation, are of
opinion that the proposed salary of $1,000.00 would not
materially advance the pecuniary advantage of Mr.
Chase, and that his removal from the Parish of Pough-
keepsie at this time would essentially injure the progress
and growth of our Church, as no one of the Congrega-
tion but holds Mr. Chase in the highest estimation, and
that considers that his removal would be destructive of
the Interest of the Episcopal Church in this place and, in
effect, destroy its present flourishing state. Therefore,
Resolved, that the Vestry, upon the foregoing reasons
cannot think of discharging the Rev. Mr. Chase from
his engagements with this Congregation, on the terms
offered in the Resolution of the Vestry of St. Mark's
Church in New York, dated 12th December, 1800.
And that the Secretary do furnish the Rev. Mr. Chase
with a copy of the above proceedings to be transmitted
to the Vestry of St. Mark's." Apparently Mr. Chase
concurred in the opinion of the vestry, for no more is
heard of the call to St. Mark's.
On November 16th, 1801, it was decided "to open
Church and commence Divine Service from October 1st
1 Now the town of Patterson, in Putnam County.
2 Christ Church, Patterson. Dutchess County Clerk's records,
Boole of Incorporation of Churches, p. 30.
112
The Records of Christ Church
to April 1st at 11 o'clock in the morning, and at quarter
past two in the afternoon. And from April 1st to Octo-
ber 1st at half past ten in the morning and at 3 o'clock
in the afternoon." The early hour for the afternoon
service presumably accommodated those of the congrega-
tion who drove to Church in the morning from some
distance, and wished to return in good season after an all
day's absence from home. Mr. Chase's policy included
a careful oversight of his flock and its needs, indeed one
of the most lasting features of his rectorate was his
thorough investigation of the number and condition of
the families in the parish when he entered it. In the
Bibliography forming part of the Appendix to this vol-
ume may be found his own account of his discovery of
how imperfect was the parish register, and of his labor
to bring the same up to date. In September, 1801, he
began the compilation of a record of the statistics of the
families then in Christ Church, which, perhaps, is in-
complete, but is still of much importance:
Heads of Families
Ebenezer Badger
Ebenezer Baldwin
Andrew Billings
Jabez Bosworth
William Broome
Matthew Caldwell
John Cooke
WiUiam Davies
John Davis
Leonard Davis
Richard Davis
William Emott
Mrs. Andrew Heermance
Mrs. Anthony Hoffman
Stephen Hoyt
Samuel Johnson
John Johnston
Mrs. Helen McKean
Peter B. Morgan
Robert Noxon
James Pritchard
John Reade
Henry Relay
Lewis Relay
John Sayers
Granville Smith
Peter Van Bommell
John Peter Vemont
Robert Williams
113
The Records oj Christ Church
Single Persons
Miss Polly Cooke Miss Elizabeth Lamson
Mrs. Sarah Hay Mr. Archibald Stewart
Maria Hay Mr. Alexander Stewart
Only eight of these names are on the list reported in
1791 by the vestry to Bishop Provoost, and the appear-
ance of other family names on the parish register, and
among the pewholders, leads to the conclusion that
there were oversights both in 1791 and 1801.
Some valuable accessions to the membership of the
parish were made, however, just about the period of the
incumbency of Mr. Chase, One, directly traceable to
his influence, was that of Thomas J. Oakley, baptized as
an adult, by Mr. Chase, and long a pewholder and ves-
tryman in Christ Church. Mr. Oakley's public career
included service as Surrogate of Dutchess, member of
Assembly, member of Congress, Attorney-General of
New York, and Judge of the Superior Court, New York
City. His double brick house on Market street, en-
larged and added to, has become the present News-Press
Building.
David Brooks, who had been one of the original
vestry appointed by the charter of 1773, and who had
soon after left Poughkeepsie to perform active duty as a
staff officer in the Revolutionary Army, in close associa-
tion with General Washington, had now returned to
Poughkeepsie, and resumed his parochial ties in the
successive capacities of pewholder, vestryman and
warden, also making a good name for himself in the
Assembly and in Congress and as County Judge.
William Davies, son of the Rev. Thomas Davies
(then late Rector of St. Michael's, Litchfield, Connecti-
cut), settled in Poughkeepsie shortly before 1800. It
114
The Records ojChrist Church
is quite possible he was the "William Davis" who rented
the glebe-house for sixteen months in 1793-1795, as
John Davis of Poughkeepsie had no children, and his
brother, Richard, no son named William; but this is
surmise, only. WilHam Davies was a devout Church-
man by inheritance, and all the years of his long life in
Poughkeepsie — he lived to be ninety-four years old —
was a faithful member of Christ Church. His first
election to the vestry was in 1799, and from 1826 to 1842
he was a warden of the parish. Mr. Davies dealt
extensively in Poughkeepsie real estate and acquired a
large property, always being a generous contributor to the
Church. The writer has been told, by one who was a
boy^ here in 1820, that Mr. Davies then occupied a pew
in the church to the south of the chancel and at right
angles to the rest of the congregation, and that he wore
a six-inch queue.
The Convention of the Diocese of New York elected
John Reade of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, as one of
the lay delegates from the diocese to the General Con-
ventions of the Church held in 1801 and 1808. He took
his seat in 1801, but failed to do so in 1808, probably
because of his last illness, his death occurring in October
of that year. Mr. Reade came to Poughkeepsie, in 1794
or 1795, from Red Hook, where he had had large property
interests in a storehouse and landing on the river, and
in land. His wife, Catherine Livingston, was a daughter
and heir of Robert G. Livingston of Red Hook, who had
owned much Dutchess County real estate, and Mr. and
Mrs. Reade's position in Poughkeepsie was that of
people of wealth and breeding. They at once took a
pew in Christ Church, and Mr. Reade was made a
1 Henry Ruggles Esq., late of New York City, deceased.
115
The Records ojChrist Church
vestryman, and then a warden, and was sent as delegate
to the Diocesan Convention. Mrs. Reade's niece,
Cornelia Livingston, and her husband, John Crooke
(son of the Charles Crooke who helped build the first
church), also established their home in Poughkeepsie,
during the period this chapter considers, and made part
of the congregation of Christ Church.
Randall S. Street, one of the lawyers of Poughkeepsie,
who was District Attorney several years, and a member
of Congress, came into the parish at this time, and the
years in the vestry of Stephen Hoyt, Ebenezer Baldwin,
Jabez Bosworth and John L. Fonda, all substantial
citizens, were also begun now.
The most conspicuous single event during the rector-
ate of Philander Chase was the assembling of the Dio-
cesan Convention of 1805 in Christ Church. Yellow
fever had raged so violently in New York City in 1798,
1799 and 1800, that no Conventions were held in those
years, and, in the summer of 1805, it was again epidemic,
which is undoubtedly the reason that the Convention did
not meet in New York. But, while the Journal of the
Convention states that "the town of Poughkeepsie (was)
appointed by the Bishop as the place of meeting," a
knowledge of the personalities of the Bishop and of the
Rector of Christ Church still further explains the
Bishop's act. The first Bishop of New York (Samuel
Provoost) was succeeded in 1801 by Benjamin Moore,
Rector of Trinity Parish, a man of much beauty of
character, gentleness and refinement, who was greatly
loved, but who was not an administrator of affairs. In
charge of Christ Church was Philander Chase, young,
tireless in energy, ever alive to an opportunity, who is
said to have felt much regret, when he entered upon his
116
The Records oj Christ Church
first Rectorship, that the privilege of meeting his brother
clergy in Convention was lost to him by the omission of
the sessions of 1799 and 1800. Here, now, was his chance,
and there can be little doubt that his eagerness pressed
upon Bishop Moore the advantages of Poughkeepsie
as a place for the Convention to meet, urging its central
location and accessibility by its own lines of sloops, its
excellent inns, hospitable homes and social attractive-
ness, and the wisdom of assembling there rather than
for the Convention not to be held. On October 1st
and 2d, therefore, the representatives of the diocese
sat in Christ Church, delegates being present from as far
north as Ballston, and west as Utica, and from New York
City, Hempstead, Yonkers, Albany, &c., &c.
Confirmation may have been administered in this
visit of Bishop Moore's to Poughkeepsie, for, in the sum-
mer of 1805, Mr. Chase had spent part of the Commu-
nion alms for "clothes for Children to attend Church
particularly Confirmation," and it is hardly probable
that the Bishop made two journeys up the river within
so short a time. The Journal of the Convention contains
Mr. Chase's report as Rector of Christ Church, Pough-
keepsie, and of Trinity Church, Fishkill, the particulars
of which were :
Baptisms Communicants
Christ Church . . 48 (14 infant, 34 adult) 53
Trinity Church . 27 ( 9 infant, 18 adult) about 30.
Philander Chase's Autobiography, which was written
after he had passed the severer toils of his strenuous life
as Missionary Bishop in Ohio and Illinois, contains a few
references to his stay in Poughkeepsie. Opposite the
parsonage, on the southwest corner of Cannon and
117
The Records ojChrist Church
Academy streets, stood the Dutchess County Academy,^
from which Academy street takes its name. This famous
school was started at Fishkill, and then moved to Pough-
keepsie, and in 1792 was incorporated by the Regents of
the State of New York. In his Autobiography Bishop
Chase wrote: "The salary afforded by the parish in
Poughkeepsie being inadequate to the writer's comforta-
ble support, he had recourse to the common expedient
of school keeping. At first this was in a private way;
but, being earnestly solicited, he at length took charge of
the public academy in that place. His pupils were
numerous, and from the most respectable families in
New York and other places;" "about half were well
advanced youths, and the other half were small boys of
seven or nine years of age." "The duties of so large a
school were of themselves most arduous, and, blended as
they were, with those of two parishes, Fishkill and Pough-
keepsie, they became insupportable. Nothing but the
strongest constitution and the hope of better times, under
the sustaining hand of a merciful Providence, kept the
writer from sinking. To add to the load that bore heavy
upon him, it pleased God to threaten his beloved wife
with consumptive symptoms, so that if she recovered it
must be under the influence of a warmer climate. Ac-
cordingly, in the year 1805, the Bishop of New York
1 The buUding (erected between 1790 and 1792) is still in exist-
ence, removed from its first site to the northeast comer of North
Clinton and Thompson streets. An amusing traditional anecdote has
been handed down in Christ Church which relates that, after Mr.
Chase took charge of the Academy and the school had increased to
large numbers, he, personally, erected an addition to the building;
but, with characteristic shrewdness, he retained title to this addition
by not attaching it at any point to the original structure, and, when he
resigned as Principal, he placed his property on wheels and trundled
it off.
118
THE RT. REV. PHILANDER CHASE, D.D.
Presiding Bishop of the American Church
1843-1852
^
The Records ofChrist Church
having been apprised of his wishes, and, having received
from New Orleans the invitation of the Protestants in
that place to send them a clergyman of the Episcopal
Church (the Bishop) appointed the writer to go thither and
see what could be eflfected in the permanent organization
of the Church in that city. So undefined, however, were
the means of support offered, and so expensive was said
to be the place for the maintenance of a family, that it
seemed hazardous to move even his wife with him at
once thither. He saw no way but to go first himself, and
see what could be done, and return for his family as soon
as possible."
The reasons for Mr. Chase's resignation of the Rector-
ship of Christ and Trinity Churches were amply sufficient
to induce his action, but his Autobiography gives no hint
of the manner of his departure, nor of the excitement
caused by it. He had consulted the Bishop, probably
when the latter was in Poughkeepsie attending the
Convention, the first week in October, but had failed to
acquaint the vestry with what was in his mind, unless,
possibly, he had spoken to Mr. John Reade, individually.
Then, not having given notice to the vestry of his in-
tentions, he went to New York, took counsel again with
the Bishop, and, without returning to Poughkeepsie,
sailed for New Orleans on October 20th.
On October 23d a meeting of the vestry was held, at
which "Mr. John Davis read a paragraph from a Letter
wrote by Mr. Chase to Mr. John Reade, dated in New
York 19th Oct. Instant, as follows, viz:
When I left you last there was a degree of uncertainty at-
tending my contemplated Jaunt to New Orleans, of course
could make no definite Communication to the Vestry of the
Church. By the advice of my fellow Presbyters, and direc-
119
The Records of C hr i s t Church
tion of the Bishop, it is now determined that I shall go. My
passage is taken, and tomorrow morning, if God permits, I
shall sail. You do me a favour by Signifying to the Members
of the Vestry, as from me, that I shall be absent from my Parish
two or three months, and perhaps longer. I have written the
above at the particular direction of the Bishop, to prevent any
misimderstandmg. This being the case, you will, I hope par-
don the Uberty I have takea
"Resolved, unanimously, that the above communica-
tion from the Rev'd Mr. Chase is very extraordinary, and
the inference is that he has abandoned this Church. And,
as he has not exhibited any complaint to this Vestry, we
are to presume he has none, but has merely gone from
other considerations.
"Resolved, that Mr. John Davis be a Committee to
write to the Bishop, Stating the Situation of this Church,
and requesting his paternal advice."
At this distance of time, the situation thus created
provokes a smile that is made possible by perspective
and the absence of irritation. How easy it is to picture
on the one hand the heedless, impetuous Chase, and his
unpremeditated, unprepared-for departure, and, on the
other, the gray-headed vestrymen, indignant at the lack
of consideration shown them! To doubt Mr. Chase's
good intention is impossible; to justify his method diffi-
cult. For, in leaving in October, he did not resign his
Rectorship, and neither did he make provision for his
parochial charge during his absence. He simply dashed
off to New Orleans to investigate conditions there, and
left matters at home to take care of themselves. He
reached New Orleans on November 13th, and a month
later, having decided that a parish could be organized in
that city, and a home provided for his family, he wrote
120
The Records oj Christ Church
to Poughkeepsie a letter which was read at a vestry
meeting on March 3d, 1806:
To the Vestry of Christ Church Poughkeepsie
Gentlemen,
I take the Uberty to signify that I have resigned into the
hands of the Right Reverend the Bishop of the State of New
York, the Rectorship of the Church to which you are a Vestry;
with sincere wishes for your prosperity,
I am
Gentlemen
Your Friend & Humble Servant
Philander Chase.
City of New Orleans
December 1805.
The vestry passed a resolution declaring "the above
Communication as not in form, but that the Parish has
been Vacant since the 5th of Nov'r last." The 5th of
November was the date upon which the articles of
agreement with Mr. Chase were signed in 1799, and
from which his rectorate was reckoned annually, and
hence he was just at the close of his sixth year when he
took his leave so unceremoniously in October, 1805.
He came North for his family in 1806, after six months'
successful work in New Orleans, and, on July 29th, the
articles of agreement between himself and Christ Church,
Poughkeepsie, were disannulled.
To obtain a successor to Mr. Chase, the vestry re-
solved on May 28th, 1806, "that the Secretary write
Bishop Moore and Bishop Jarvis informing them of the
vacancy in this Church, and the wish of Vestry to fill it
as soon as a suitable Candidate may be found, — And
should either of them know of one whose talents they
may judge calculated to render his services useful in this
place, the earliest information would be esteemed a
favour by the Vestry."
121
The Records oj Christ Church
Whether Bishop Jarvis of Connecticut responded to
this request the Vestry Minutes do not disclose, but,
at all events, Barzillai Bulkley, a young man whom
he had ordained Deacon the year before, came from
Connecticut to visit the vacant congregation, and was in-
vited to remain as its Rector. Trinity Church, Fish-
kill, joined cordially in the call to Mr. Bulkley, a letter
from Matthew Mesier, warden, saying that they were
very happy to do so, "and hope the good understanding
our Churches have had together may always continue."
It was agreed that Mr. Bulkley's rectorate should date
from August 17th, 1806, and that he should give two-
thirds of his time to Christ Church and one-third to
Trinity, and have the use of the parsonage at Pough-
keepsie.
Few events marked his three years' residence in the
parish, but he left behind him a carefully kept register,
which records that he performed in that time forty-nine
baptisms and twelve marriages, and officiated at sixteen
funerals. One of the infant baptisms by him was that of
William Davies' son, William Augustus, who, as a man,
was such a devoted friend to the Church. A marriage
he mentioned in 1809 was that of Clarissa Badger,
daughter of the then warden, Ebenezer Badger, to Para-
clete Potter, of whom more is heard, later, in the story
of the parish. Among the funerals Mr. Bulkley conduct-
ed were those of Major Andrew Billings and Mrs. Gilbert
Livingston and John Reade, who all died in 1808.
He also did some extra-parochial pastoral work; at the
Diocesan Convention held in October, 1807, he reported
that "the latter part of last spring I visited the parish in
Washington,^ attended Divine service, and baptized
1 St. Peter's, Lithgow.
122
The Records oj Christ Church
four children," to which the Convention responded by
directing him to officiate "at Washington one Sunday in
November and one in May, and at such other times as
may be deemed convenient." In 1808 the Convention
again commissioned him to visit Washington, and New-
burgh beside.
At the beginning of this chapter reference was made to
Mr. Beardsley's long contention for the possession of
part of the glebe. In 1805 this matter reached a con-
clusion, but, rightly to understand the question involved,
it is necessary to turn back to the time of the original
purchase of the farm, when Mr. Beardsley offered to buy
one-third of it himself. He received a deed then from
the Ostroms, the former owners, conveying to him the
portion known as the twenty-three acre lot, and he
enjoyed the use of the same throughout his residence in
Poughkeepsie. But, at the time that he made applica-
tion to the Governor and Council for a charter of in-
corporation, and for a confirmation of title to the glebe-
land, he testified that all the land was held for the Church
by deeds of trust, and the charter therefore vested the
title to the whole farm in the Corporation.
Mr. Beardsley's removal from Poughkeepsie, as a
Tory, having been effected by the Council of Safety, an
attempt was made to have the twenty-three acre lot
confiscated, as land which he, a disaffected person, had
held; but, on the evidence that the charter had conferred
the title upon the Church, the Commissioners of For-
feiture dropped the case, and the property remained in
the possession of the Corporation.
No sooner, however, was peace declared, than the
vestry began to suffer harassments from the manner in
which the lot had been bargained for. Mr. Beardsley
123
The Records ojChrist Church
had agreed to be responsible for £200 of the £600 cost
of the glebe, but, instead of making a cash payment, it
now transpired that he and Captain Peter Harris had
entered into a joint bond for £300 to Mrs. Ostrom, each
promising that they, or their representatives, would pay
£4 apiece per annum to her during her life. Captain
Harris disappeared from connection with this and all
other local affairs early in the war, and Mrs. Ostrom,
who was a poor woman, lost the interest due from him.
Mr. Beardsley kept up his own payments until his re-
moval to New York, when he ceased to send remittances.
The Ostrom family made several requests to the vestry
to assume the obligation, and, in 1797, upon the advice
of Jacob Radcliffe, attorney, this was done, the Corpora-
tion paying in full to the heirs of Mrs. Ostrom (she
having died) the amount due upon the bond from Cap-
tain Harris and from Mr. Beardsley, from the time their
payments lapsed to Mrs. Ostrom's death. It was con-
sidered that this action extinguished any shadow of a
claim on Mr. Beardsley's part.
Meanwhile, he continued to urge his title, and also
to present charges against the Corporation for salary
unpaid in the last year of his stay in Poughkeepsie, for
two barns he had built, and for sundry other disburse-
ments on his part while here. In 1797 he sent his son,
Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley, to Poughkeepsie, and
in 1803 an attorney, Samuel Nicholls, neither of whom
reached any agreement with the vestry. Finally, in
April, 1805, he came himself, now a man of seventy-three,
but still filled with spirit and energy.
From April to July a deadlock existed in the negotia-
tions between him and the vestry, broken at last by an
offer from Mr. Beardsley to relinquish all his claims if the
124
The Records oj Christ Church
Corporation would divide with him, equally, the twenty-
three acre lot. On July 1st the vestry voted to accept
this proposition, but declared, in doing so, "that they
absolutely deny that he, the said John Beardsley, has any
right. Title, or demand to the lands, ***** but that
any Lands that may be Quit-claimed to the said John
Beardsley is considered as a donation, and Testimony of
our good will and affection towards him."
Final papers were signed on July 24th, fifteen acres
being deeded^ to Mr. Beardsley, and twelve retained by
the Church, a survey that was made for the division
having shown the lot to contain twenty-seven acres, and
the division being made with respect to quality as well
as quantity.
Mr. Beardsley at once exchanged^ his fifteen acres
with his son, Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley, for
certain land at Maugerville, New Brunswick; Bartholo-
mew Crannell Beardsley sold^ them in turn the next
year for $1,500.00, and so ended the involved case of the
twenty-three acre lot.
In September, 1806, the Church sold, for $1,800 . 00 ,the
twelve acres which had remained in its possession,
subject to a mortgage for $1,250.00, which mortgage
was paid off in 1821.^ The purchaser made a cash pay-
ment of $550.00, and the vestry appropriated this
ready money to improve the interior of the church
by the erection of a gallery. John Davis, William Davies
and Peter B. Morgan were appointed a committee to
superintend the work of building, and their original
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds. Liber 19, p, '155.
2 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 19, p. 275.
3 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds. Liber 19, p. 458.
4 Dutchess County Clerk's records, mortgages, Liber 11, p. 382.
125
The Records oj Christ Church
contract with the carpenters gives the details of the
design followed. The gallery extended on each side of
the church and across the west end; stairs at each side
of the church door led to the floor of the gallery, the
stairs having a handrail, and being "enclosed under the
handrail with panel work." The platforms of the stair-
case were enclosed "so as to form apartments (with) a
pannel door in each." The whole gallery was supported
by ten columns, its front "pannelled, with pillasters
over the columns, a cornish below and laping above the
pannel work, or on the top thereof."
Mr. Chase had previously had some minor improve-
ments made in the church, principally in the chancel; nine
yards of "Carpoting" were bought, and nine founds ( ! )
of hair "to Stuff ye Cushion;" the hangings were
mended, the pulpit painted, and "Nobs and Rings"
supplied for it. For the session of the Convention in
1805 preparation was made by the purchase of eight and
a half yards of " Green stuff for curtains round the back
part of the Desk," and of "two Curtain Rods behind the
pulpit;" also of several branch candlesticks and sconces.
Oil was used, as well as candles, for lighting the church
for the Convention, but it was not until the winter of 1808
that a stove was put in, prior to which it is to be supposed
that the congregation had shivered over private foot
stoves and hot bricks in the long winters.
The successful erection of the gallery in 1807 was fol-
lowed by the suggestion in 1808 that an organ should be
bought, hearing of which, John Meacham, Jr., of Hartford,
Connecticut, organ builder, asked that an organ he had
on hand might be given a trial; he offered, if the Church
would send on a wagon to bring it over from Hartford,
to come with it himself and set it up, and also said that
126
The Records ojChrist Church 127
Colonel William Blodgett, organist, of Hartford, would
accompany him to Poughkeepsie, demonstrate the qual-
ity of the instrument, and give lessons upon it to Pough-
keepsie musicians. Mr. Meacham's letter of August
16th, 1808, enclosed Colonel Blodgett's recommendation
of the organ:
To whom it may concern
At the request of Mr. John Meachum to examine an Organ
which he has for disposal, and informed by him that applica-
tion had been made for one by a Gentelman of Poughkeepsie,
I did examine an Organ which he has, and deem it a good one
of its size, containing three stops — Viz Stop Diapason —
Principle and Twelfth, all in good order. These stops are the
most used for Church Music, and are encased very handsomely
with ornimental pipes in front, a good sett of Keys, and regis-
ters, and the bellows and pedal are also good.
Its height is about eight feet, and its breadth four feet and
four inches, embellished on the top with four gilt urns and the
case well imitated mahogany, with doors to communicate to
any part which may at any time need a repair or for tuning.
Its appearance will embellish any Church.
I have repeatedly performed on this Organ, and was ever
well pleased with it, as has been many others who are good
judges, and masters of music.
William Blodgett.
The organ reached Poughkeepsie, and was accepted
by the vestry in October, the 18th of which month a
subscription was circulated to raise money to pay for it,
$300.00 being the purchase price; $130.00 was thus
procured, and the balance was paid six months later out
of the treasury. Those who subscribed in 1808 were:
Ebenezer Badger
$ 5.00
James Emott
$ 10.00
Joseph Bos worth
5.00
John L. Fonda
5.00
Jacob Bush
5.00
Stephen Hoyt
4.00
Sarah Cunningham
5.00
R. James
5.00
Wilham Davies
20.00
Mary Ludlow
5.00
John Davis
10.00
Peter B.Morgan
4.00
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Peter R. Maisonj
5.00
Chester Parsons
10.00
Bartholomew Noxon
1.00
Paraclete Potter
2.00
Robert Noxon
4.00
Philo Ruggles
5.00
George Peters Oakley
5.00
Randall S. Street
5.00
Thomas J. Oakley
5.00
James L. Van Kleeek;,;
5.00
May 1st, 1809, Colonel Blodgett submitted a bill to
the vestry for "playing the organ in Church," and "for
tuition to Gunn and others," which action, insignificant
in itself, reveals an interesting fact. "Gunn," whom
Colonel Blodgett instructed, was Abel Gunn, a boy of
nine, and by nature a musician, who was organist for
Christ Church from his earliest youth until 1862. He
was also a maker of violins, which were highly valued in
their day. His father, Abel Gunn, Sr., a veteran of the
Revolution, came to Poughkeepsie before 1796 from New
Milford, Connecticut, where his family had been one of
substantial influence many years, and, in the presence
of this household in Poughkeepsie is found, perhaps, one
explanation of the call to the Rev. Barzillai Bulkley to
become Rector of Christ Church, Mrs. Bulkley having
been Mary Gunn of New Milford.
The Bulkleys left Poughkeepsie in August, 1809, and
the vestry directed John Davis, warden, to "repair to
the City of New York to confer with the Bishop, Clergy,
& others, take their advice and aid in procuring for this
parish a suitable character as pastor thereof." Mr.
Davis acted promptly, and presented this memorial to
Bishop Moore in the latter 's dual capacity as Rector of
Trinity Corporation, and Bishop of New York:
The Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity
Church in the City of New York.
The Memorial of John Davis, Senior Warden of Christ
Church of Poughkeepsie, in behalf of the Vestry thereof, most
Respectfully Sheweth, that their Church from Sundry Causes
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hereinafter mentioned, is on the decline, and now destitute of
a Rector.
That she has, in the course of three or four years, been ex-
tremely unfortunate in loosing some of her principal members
by Death. She has lost five who were zealous in her cause,
the major part of them members in full communion, and all
of them Vestrymen at the time of their death.
And she has also lost Several by Removals, all of whom
contributed liberally to the Support and maintenance of the
Church. Their families are broken up and gone, all but one,
and their places not filled up by others.
That from the Exertions lately made, and are still making,
in the Dutch and Baptist Congregations, our contribution list
is very materially lessened.
From these reasons, they find themselves unable to raise
funds that are Sufl5cient to Support a gentleman fitly qualified
to fill the rectory of their Church, and therefore pray the aid
of the Rector, Church wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity
Church in the City of New York.
In behalf of the Vestry and Congregation of Christ Church
of Poughkeepsie,
John Davis.
Poughkeepsie
August ye 20, 1809.
Mr. Davis's report to the vestry in this matter stated
that **he had left with the Bishop a Memorial, signed by
himself, in behalf of this Vestry, to the Corporation of
Trinity Church, New York City, stating the situation of
our Church, and praying their assistance, and that he
conversed with the Bishop and several Clergymen, and
also with several gentlemen of the Vestry of Trinity,
who gave him encouragement, and promised to be
friendly to this church."
Early in 1810 a partial engagement was entered into
with the Rev. Joseph Prentice of Athens, regarding the
Rectorship; Mr. Prentice was to give one-third of his
time to Christ Church from February to October, and,
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in October, 1810, to remove permanently to Poughkeepsie
from Athens. He began his service here under this
agreement on February 18th, but, by reason of his ill
health, the plan for ultimate settlement was soon after
abandoned.
At a vestry meeting held June 7th, "John Davis
informed the Board that the Vestry of Trinity Church in
the City of New York have granted a yearly donation
of $250.00, for five years, towards the support of a
clergyman in this Church," which is "to commence from
the time when a clergyman shall be duly settled."
The account of the important result to this parish, of
the help extended thus by old Trinity, belongs properly
to a succeeding chapter.
Names of Pewholders
1800-1809
The pews were sold annually, at auction, except during vacan-
cies in the Rectorship. The individuals, whose names are here given,
did not all buy pews every year, but the hst includes all those who did
purchase from 1800 to 1809:
A. John Akin.
B. Ebenezer Badger; Valentine Baker; Ebenezer Baldwin;
Mrs. Ann Barber; William Bard; Andrew Billings;
Amaziah Blakesley; Abraham Bockee; William W.
Bogardus; Jabez Bosworth; Joseph Bowman; David
Brooks; William Broome; E. Brown; EHsha Brown;
Joseph Brown; William Brown; John Brush; Jacob Bush.
C. Thomas Carpenter; Joseph Cornish; John Crooke; Gar-
wood H. Cunningham.
D. WiUiam Davies; Daniel Davis; John Davis; Leonard
Davis; Richard Davis; Warren DeLancey; Charles H.
Duncan,
E. James Emott; WiUiam Emott.
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F. John L. Fonda.
G. John B. Gay; Robert GUI; John GuIIon; Abel Gunn.
H. Stephen Hendricksen; Mrs. Gertrude Hoffman; Stephen
Hoyt.
I. Duncan Ingraham; Mrs. Ingraham.
J. Samuel Johnson; John Johnston.
K. Gilbert Ketcham.
L. John Le Roy; Jonathon Lewis; Richard Lewis; Henry G
Livingston; John B. Livingston; Robert H. Livingston-
William Lother.
M. Peter R.Maison; LeviMcKean; Mathew Mesier- Peter
Mesier; Stephen MitcheU; Thomas MitcheU; JohnMott.
N. Bartholomew Noxon; Robert Noxon.
O. George P. Oakley; Jesse Oakley; Silas M. Orcutt.
P. Joseph Parker; Chester Parsons; William Pennington-
David Phillips; James Pritchard.
R. John Reade; EHza Rogers; Mathew Rothery; Philo
Ruggles; Henry Rutzer.
S. John Sayrs; Thomas Sketchley; The Misses Sketchley;
Samuel Slee; Gerard S. Sloan; Abel Smith; Granville
Smith; Archibald Stewart; RandaU Street.
T. George Taylor; William Taylor; T. Thacher; Abiel
Thompson.
V. Garret B. Van Ness; John P. Vemont.
W. Robert Williams; ( ? ) Wood.
131
PART II
PART II, 1810-1910
CHAPTER VI
1810-1845
THE RISE OF THE LOW CHURCH PARTY. BISHOP HOBART. HIS
CHURCHMANSHIP. THE REV. JOHN REED. HIS LIFE-WORK
IN CHRIST CHURCH. PERSONNEL OF HIS CONGREGATION.
ORIGIN OF THE CONNECTION OF THE POTTER FAMILY WITH
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. THE FIRST CHURCH
BUILDING AS IT WAS IN 1820. THE COMMUNION SILVER.
THE FOUNDING OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. THE PURCHASE
OF A BURIAL-GROUND. THE ERECTION OF THE SECOND
CHURCH BUILDING IN 1834. THE SPREAD OF THE EPISCO-
PAL CHURCH IN DUTCHESS COUNTY. DR. REED's OLD AGE
AND THE CALL OF AN ASSISTANT MINISTER. DR. REEd's
DEATH. NAMES OF PEWHOLDERS, 1810-1832.
THE year 1810 marks a turning point in the history
of Christ Church. It closes a period, reviewed
in the preceding chapters, in which the parish
had been buffeted and tossed about by the storms of
war and of poHtical revolution, and held back by pov-
erty, conflicting interests, and untoward circumstances
generally. That it had continued to exist, testifies that
love for it had struck deep into the hearts of a few, but
there had been little growth and progress of a lasting sort.
Now, a new era was begun. By the promise of Trinity
Church, New York, to contribute two hundred and fifty
dollars a year for five years, it became possible to settle
a Rector with some hope that permanent conditions would
be inaugurated, a hope destined to be amply fulfilled, for
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The Records ojChrist Church
the rectorate of John Reed, which took its date from
August 19th, 1810, lasted for thirty-five years, and wit-
nessed the re-birth and upbuilding of the congregation.
On July 17th, 1810, James Emott, Thomas J. Oakley
and John Davis were appointed a committee by the
vestry to confer with Mr. Reed, he being then Rector
of St. Luke's Church, Catskill; the committee offered
him a salary of seven hundred dollars and the parsonage,
and he accepted the call extended on those terms. This
is the first call given by Christ Church in which Trinity
Church, Fishkill, did not join, and the Vestry Minutes
do not contain any explanation of why the parishes
discontinued their alliance at this time.
Mr. Reed was thirty-three years old when he became
Rector of Christ Church, but had been in Priest's Orders
only a little while, as he entered college later than was
usual. Except for two years at Catskill, his whole life
in the ministry was spent in this parish, and the founda-
tion of the Church, as we now know it, was laid by his
labors. This can be said without in any way detracting
from the faithfulness of the men, clergy and laity, who
preceded him. Their will to do was equally good, but
they had great difficulties to contend with, in the face of
which the most they could accomplish was to keep the
parish from dying out. The task which fell to them was
one of protection and prevention.
With John Reed's coming, constructive work began;
a fact which is but one instance of the awakening which
took place in the Episcopal Church at large in this coun-
try at that time. After its first heroic effort to organize
itself at the close of the Revolution, the Church had
undergone an utter stagnation of life and spirit; the
leaders were men past their prime, and their strength
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The Records ofChrist Church
was spent by their struggle for existence. It was in-
evitable that lethargy should clog action, until the next
generation should rise and occupy the stage.
In England, also, in the eighteenth century, a cloud
had overshadowed all religious life, a cloud gathered
from causes of another sort, it is true, but, in its effects,
the same as that enshrouding the American Church. To
dispel this deadness of spirit, a wave of new life swept
through the Church of England, one result of which was
the Methodist movement. Another result was the
spread to America of the germ of the teaching of this
battle for spiritual regeneration, and, here, this teaching
took form, in the Episcopal Church, in the first quarter of
the nineteenth century, in the tenets of what became
known as the school of Low Churchmen. The Low
Churchman was impressed with the moral depravity of
men, and he preached the salvation of the individual;
he belonged to the Episcopal Church and he believed in
its organization; but his doctrines in regard to salvation
were those of a literal hell, from which men were to be
saved, and his attitude toward the organization of the
Church was that, while it was the best he knew and he
held to it, his adherence was purely voluntary. A true
Low Churchman was therefore an ardent missionary
(for no time could be lost in the work of redeeming souls
from everlasting damnation), and he fraternized some-
what closely with the several Christian Communions
among which he lived. Roughly stated, the Low Church
element among Episcopalians in the United States was
in its strength 1800-1835, held its own 1835-1850, and
thereafter declined as a distinct school. During the
time of its influence, it founded and maintained the
foreign missionary work of the Church.
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The Records oj Christ Church
But, although the Low Church party was spreading
widely when John Reed came to Christ Church, this
parish did not become allied with it. In 1811, the year
after he assumed the Rectorship, John Henry Hobart
was consecrated Bishop, as assistant to Benjamin
Moore of New York, and, in 1816, at Bishop Moore's
death, Hobart succeeded him at the head of the diocese.
John Henry Hobart was a dynamic force in the Church
in New York State. He was a man of much power and
ability, which were made potent by his energy and en-
thusiasm. In personality he is described as having been
exceptionally lovable, and in presence one who dififused
an atmosphere of joy and brightness.
He will be rated historically, however, not so much as
a worker, and a man who commanded affection, but as a
man with a message, and a message differing in large part
from the teaching of the prevalent Low Church party.
He preached the same doctrine of the redemption of the
individual, but, with equal insistence, he presented the
conception of the divine origin of the Church. Men
must be saved; yes, but they must be saved within the
sacred institution which Christ, Himself, had founded.
"My Banner," Hobart said, "is Evangelical Truth and
Apostolic Order." Hence, one of the greatest aspects
of his service to the Church was his bringing it to a
realizing sense of its own history and claims, and posi-
tion in the ecclesiastical world, none of which were taken
account of by the Low Churchman. He infused into it
a consciousness of its own entity and organized existence.
When he was made Bishop the Church in New York
was not yet aroused from its stupor, but, at once, when
he poured into its veins his own abundant life blood, it
became filled with a fresh vitality, which manifested
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The Records ofChrist Church
itself in many forms of activity. For, in their practical
application, his principles re-created the Church in his
diocese. His compelling influence revived old parishes,
founded new ones, sponsored mission work among the
Oneida Indians, and established such institutions as
the New York Bible and Prayer Book Society, the
Protestant Episcopal Tract Society, the Churchman's
Magazine, and the Protestant Episcopal Theological
Society, which last evolved itself soon into the General
Theological Seminary.
Bishop Hobart was a prolific writer as well as organi-
zer, and the titles of some of his publications show the
trend of his thought, such as Companion for the Altar,
Festivals and Fasts, Companion to the Book of Common
Prayer, Apology for Apostolic Order, Redemption, &c.
His fearless advocacy of what he believed to be true
brought upon him criticism from some Episcopalians,
to whom his evangelical characteristics were unpleasantly
suggestive of Methodism, and from Presbyterians, who
were irritated by his disregard for their ordination and
ministry. His most strenuous intellectual opponents
were, nevertheless, warmly attached to the man, himself,
and his real greatness enabled Bishop Hobart to rise
above all criticism and to lead the Diocese of New York
to large accomplishment.
Between Bishop Hobart and the Rector of Christ
Church was the bond of personal friendship. They were
very nearly the same age, they corresponded frequently
and freely, and were in entire sympathy in their theologi-
cal and ecclesiastical views, so that this account of the
Bishop's teaching serves also for that of Dr. Reed, and
it becomes evident that (strange as it may seem today)
Christ Church, under the latter's leadership, was one of
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The Records ofChrist Church
the first parishes in the diocese identified with High
Churchmanship .
In 1810, when John Reed came to Poughkeepsie, he
found himself in charge of an insignificant cure, for, in
1811, he reported to the Diocesan Convention but
seventy communicants in his care. The last report
made by him to the Convention before his death was in
1844, when he claimed two hundred and fifty communi-
cants, which increase must be considered in the light of
quality as well as of numbers, as, from that viewpoint,
the substantial character of Dr. Reed's life-work will be
better appreciated than from that of figures.
His rectorate occurred between the dates of the in-
corporation of the Village of Poughkeepsie and of the
charter of the City, and benefited by the growth which
took place to effect the change thus indicated. Pough-
keepsie was then a legal and political center, and many
men prominent in that day in the State were brought
into Christ Church through the influence of its Rector.
While Dr. Reed has been classed with Bishop Hobart
in Churchmanship, he was unlike him in all other ways,
for, where Hobart was brilliant and energetic, and, per-
haps, aggressive, John Reed was deliberate, steady, even
and tactful. He had the patience to go about the es-
tablishment of a congregation by slow, painstaking, but
sure and reliable methods, securing a deep and abid-
ing personal hold upon the people, and thereby winning
many into the Church. On the parish register are found
many adult baptisms by him, and the lists of wardens,
vestrymen and pewholders include the names of some
of the ablest men of the day in Poughkeepsie. The bar
was represented by such men as James Emott, Sr., Philo
Ruggles, James Hooker, Richard D. Davis, Leonard
140
The Records of Christ Church
Maison and Stephen Cleveland. Of these, James
Emott, LL.D., whose career was distinguished as a mem-
ber of Assembly and of Congress, as County Judge and
as a Judge of the Circuit Court of New York State, was
warden of Christ Church thirty-three years, Trustee of
the General Theological Seminary 1826-1850, and elected
by the diocese to represent it at the General Conven-
tions of 1826, 1829, 1832, 1835, 1838, 1841 and 1844.
Philo Ruggles, Surrogate and District Attorney, was
vestryman and warden, 1807 to 1825; he built, about
1800, a double frame house on Market street (with a
fine example of a dignified, carved doorway and fan light),
which was known by the present generation as the Hook-
er house, and he occupied the same until his removal to
New York City in 1826. James Hooker, who later came
into the possession of this house, which was torn down
to make way for the new building of the Young Men's
Christian Association, was regarded as one of the safest
and most conservative counsellors; he was a Presidential
Elector, 1836, Canal Commissioner, Surrogate, and was a
member of Christ Church vestry from 1817 to 1858.
Richard D. Davis, member of Congress, and long asso-
ciated with public affairs, a man of marked ability, was
continuously in the vestry from 1826 to 1853, and many
years secretary to that body, although it is regretfully
to be added that afterward, for a time, he was a Spiritual-
ist. The same fact is true of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge in
his later life, after his removal in 1844 from Poughkeepsie
to Wisconsin, but who, while in Poughkeepsie, was
a faithful member of the Episcopal Church, and served
this parish in its vestry from 1821 to 1836. Tallmadge
was a Senator of the United States, 1833-1844, and
prior to that was a State Senator; he was a lawyer, a
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The Records of C hr i s t Church
leader of the oft-quoted Poughkeepsie Improvement
Party in the thirties, and was identified with most of the
banking and freighting enterprises of the town; the
house he built for himself is that on Delafield street,
more recently occupied by Mr. Irving Elting.
From the medical profession the congregation included
Dr. John Thomas and his nephew, Dr. William Thomas,
Dr. Elias Trivett and Dr. John Cooper, whose son. Dr.
John Reed Cooper, was the Rector's namesake, and
whose son-in-law, Dr. Walter Hughson, was baptized by
Dr. Reed in 1841 when just beginning practice here.
Henry Davis, who was president of the Dutchess County
Baiik and whose brick dwelling house on Market street
has been remodelled as the present Fallkill National
Bank, Walter Cunningham, business man, banker and
leader of the Improvement Party, and Captain Frederick
Barnard of the Poughkeepsie Whaling Company are
examples of the class of men in commercial life whom Dr.
Reed had in his pastoral care.
One accession made in Dr. Reed's day had a lasting and
widespread influence in the Episcopal Church in this
country. There was living in the part of the township
of Beekman, Dutchess County, that has since become
the township of La Grange, a farmer, Joseph Potter,
a member of the Society of Friends and the father
of several sons. The eldest ' son, born in 1784, and
given a name peculiarly suited to the Friends, that
of Paraclete, came to Poughkeepsie about 1805-1808,
established himself in the book and printing business,
married, in 1809, a daughter of one of the wardens
of Christ Church, and, in 1810, became a pewholder.
In 1815 he bought The Poughkeepsie Journal and
Constitutional Republican, which he edited and pub-
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The Records ofChrist Church
lished for a great many years, during which he was
connected with almost all the educational and business
interests of Poughkeepsie. Paraclete Potter was a
conspicuous member of the Improvement Party of 1835,
but his service to the town through that channel was
short in time as compared with the long years his book
store was a center of influence. That was in existence
by, or before, 1814, and continued until 1841, when its
owner removed to Wisconsin. Throughout that period
it was used much as a literary and political club. All the
lovers of literature in the place gravitated there, and
read and discussed the contents of the shelves, while
influential politicians assembled to debate current issues.
The late Isaac Piatt, editor of The Poughkeepsie Eagle,
became an apprentice to Paraclete Potter in the office
of The Poughkeepsie Journal in 1821, and, in reminis-
cences once published^ by him, he described the reading-
room attached to the rear of the book store, and the
gatherings in it of leading citizens. In referring to the
prominent men accustomed to meet there, he mentioned
twenty-four names, eighteen of which are found on the
pew and vestry lists of Christ Church, which is a striking
illustration of the position the parish had come to occupy
in the community.
By the marriage and settlement in Poughkeepsie of
Paraclete Potter, an opportunity was afforded two of his
brothers to obtain a better education than was within
their reach in Beekman. Accordingly, about 1812,
Alonzo Potter, born 1800, and Horatio Potter, born 1802,
entered the Academy, on Academy street, Poughkeepsie,
opposite the parsonage occupied by Dr. Reed. No
evidence has been found to determine whether they were
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, April 30th; 1867,
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The Records ofChrist Church
boarding pupils or lived in their brother's home, but
the latter is more probably the fact. In either case they ^
became attendants at Christ Church, and the son of one
of them once made an interesting statement in regard
to this. In the present Christ Church, on December 2d,
1900, the day of the institution of the Reverend Alexan-
der G. Cummins, Jr., as Rector of the parish. Bishop
Henry C. Potter spoke of his father and uncle, and said
that "their love for the Church, and their connection
with it, dated from the day that they, two Quaker lads,
wandered into the old first Christ Church, and felt the
charm of its services."
Alonzo Potter remained at the Academy in Poughkeep-
sie from 1812 to 1815^ when he entered Union College.
After his graduation he prepared for the ministry, and
was made Deacon in 1821, and Priest in 1824. Mean-
while, his brother, Horatio, two years his junior, re-
mained in Poughkeepsie (probably until 1822, as he
graduated from Union in 1826), and, after he left the
Academy, served as a clerk- in the book store of his
brother. Paraclete. During a summer vacation from
college, on August 10th, 1823, Horatio Potter was
baptized by Dr. Reed, and so is even more especially a
spiritual child of Christ Church than his brother, Alonzo.
The late Bishop of New York, Henry Codman Potter,
always held in the tenderest regard the parish which he
considered the cradle of his family's life in the Church.
With certain of his kindred he gave the chancel-window in
memory of his father and uncle, when the third church
was erected in 1888; he rarely, if ever, failed, when he
1 PoUer Genealogy, Part 10, pp. 37-38.
2 Reminiscences of Isaac Piatt, The Povghkeepsie Daily Earjle,
April 30th, 1867.
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made his visitations, to dwell upon the associations with
the past which were clustered here for him; and the
preparation of this volume is, in part, due to his desire
that a history of Christ Church should be written. Just
before his last illness came upon him, he sent the writer
an urgent message that this labor of love should surely
be accomplished.
At the time that Alonzo and Horatio Potter were thus
first brought into touch with the Episcopal Church, the
building on Market street, in which they worshipped,
was still the one that was erected in 1774, and which
stood until 1833. It is our great good fortune that a
detailed account of that building, as it appeared in 1820,
has been procured.
Mr. Henry J. Ruggles, late of New York City, de-
ceased, a son of Philo Ruggles, was born in Poughkeepsie
in 1813, and lived opposite the church until 1824, when
he went away to boarding school. Mr. Ruggles was a
man of much intellectual ability combined with an
unusual memory and habit of observation, and, in 1903,
at the age of ninety, with his mental clearness unimpair-
ed, he took unlimited pains to give the writer a complete
and accurate description of the church as he knew it
about 1820. This description is presented here, partly
in quotations from his letters, and partly from notes
taken in conversation with him, the notes being after-
ward examined and approved by him.
Replying to the first inquiry made of him, Mr. Ruggles
wrote: "If by Christ Church you refer to the church
that stands, or stood, on the northeast corner of Market
and Church streets, Poughkeepsie, I may say that I knew
it in boyhood very well, for I was born in a house nearly
opposite (my father's), and saw the building, I may say,
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The Records ofChrist Church
every day of my life from my first year till my eleventh,
that is from 1813 to 1824, in which latter year I went to
live at Dr. Allen's boarding school at Hyde Park; but
I never heard the church called by any other name than
*The English Church.' It was a brick building, and
had stone casings around its windows, which were long
and pointed, and reached from the level of the pews to
the roof, so as to light both the first floor and the gallery.
Dr. Reed (I believe he was a 'Doctor'), who lived at the
corner of Academy and Cannon streets, was the parson
at that time. My father was a member; I generally
accompanied him to church, and many of Dr. Reed's
eloquent sermons have fallen on my unappreciative
ears. ***** I ^as in Poughkeepsie about eighteen
years ago and there was then upon the corner of Market
and Church streets a church, but it was not the old
church as I recollect it. When you speak of my father's
grave to the north of the baptistry, I do not know to
what you refer. My father, who died in 1829, was
buried in a cemetery, which many years ago was laid
out on a piece of land adjoining the village on the south,
which was known in my boyhood as 'The Common,'
and, at the time of his interment, there was no church
building (according to my recollection) near the spot."
The old church stood upon a knoll, and, when Church
street was cut through from Market, it was left upon a
bank, which created, in the angle formed by the two
streets, a terrace, with a flat top that was wide enough
for two to walk upon abreast. The terrace sloped away
from the corner in either direction until it merged with
the grade of the street. Along the Church street side
of the church lot ran a high board fence, painted red, and
on the Market street front was a lower wooden fence
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The Records of Christ Church
with round pales and a brick sidewalk. North of the
church, a gate in the Market street fence admitted
funerals, the graves being mostly at the east and south
sides of the church.
"The exterior of the building was plain; it was a
rectangular parallelogram, longer than it was broad; a
neat enough little church, without pretension to archi-
tectural beauty." The east end was flat, with a large
window of clouded glass, set, as were all the windows,
in red sandstone casings; at the west end, over the en-
trance, was the tapering spire of wood, painted white,
resting upon a four-cornered base, also of wood, but
painted a darker shade than the spire, and forming the
belfry. The weather vane on top of the spire was tri-
angular.
Through the door at the west end, access was had
directly to the church,without a vestibule, a stove stand-
ing between the door and the pews. Two aisles separat-
ed a double set of pews in the center from a single row
at either side, and a few additional pews were in the
corners at the east end, at right angles to the others.
They were all built with doors and a slanting shelf for a
book and kneeling rest. The galleries on the north and
south sides contained three banks of pews (the north
side for the men, and the south side for the women),
and that at the west held the organ. All the woodwork
was painted white, and the walls were light.
In front of the large window at the east end, was a
platform, raised about a foot above the level of the pew
floor, and surrounded by a mahogany railing and
kneeling cushion. Before the window was the high
pulpit of part-octagon shape and wineglass stem; it
was painted a peculiar shade of "greenish-yellowish
147
The Records ofChrist Church
white," and there was a large cushion for a sermon rest.
Above it was a huge sounding-board, and below it a
long narrow reading-desk, on the north end of which
lay the Bible. Below the reading-desk was the Com-
\ munion Table.
\ This "three-decker" arrangement, as it is now called,
was introduced by Bishop Hobart,^ and was the one in
most common use at the time. Before his day in the
Church, the Tables for the Communion had been hidden
behind the enormous pulpits, but the emphasis laid by
the Bishop on the sacramental aspect of religion brought
them out to a position of comparative honor in full view
of the congregation. It follows that, as this placing was
the plan of Bishop Hobart, it must have been adopted in
Christ Church during the rectorate of Dr. Reed, as
rectorate and episcopate began simultaneously, and
this leads to a belief that it was at this time that the
original Table, given by Mr. John Crooke, was relin-
quished, for a Table of another design was in use about
1820.2
A question to Mr. Ruggles regarding the Communion
silver used in his boyhood drew from him this anecdote :
"I distinctly remember that Dr. Reed used to administer
the sacramental wine from a large silver cup. And this
cup I remember from an incident, very unimportant in
itself, which, however, as a reminiscence of the old
church, I will mention. The chancel was at the east end
of the church,then came the pews, but between the pews
and the front door there was a small space, where a
plain bench, large enough for three or four persons, was
placed to accommodate chance comers. On this bench
1 Tiffany's History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, p. 458.
2 See Mr. Ruggles's drawing of the interior of the church.
148
\
INTERIOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING
About 1820
The Records oj Christ Church
might be seen every Sunday an aged black woman, very
neat in her attire, which, however, indicated great
poverty. She was a church member, a communicant,
and on Communion Sundays, after the 'Saints' of the
white race had communed together. Dr. Reed would look
over the pews towards the old negress (who, at some pe-
riod of her life, must have been a slave, if she were not so
then) and she would slowly shuffle up to the chancel-
railing, and partake of the elements, communing alone
with God! and it used to occur to my boyish mind, when
I saw her raise the cup to her lips, whether it did not make
the poor creature feel a little happy and proud to be
allowed to sip from what seemed so splendid a silver
vessel. That was nearly a hundred years ago, and the
races still disdain to go to Heaven together."
Of the singing-school then maintained, and the ob-
servance of Christmas Eve, Mr. Ruggles gave realistic
descriptions. "The organist of the church (in those
days) was Abel Gunn, a youthful genius, with sunken
cheeks and a consumptive tendency, while a tall and
lank New England singing-master, of the name of Stough-
ton, exercised the youths and maidens of the congrega-
tion in psalm singing. He used to walk up and down
before the class, and, as they sang, he waved his arms
and beat time with both hands at once, reminding me of
some picture I had seen of a sorcerer performing an
incantation. He was particularly strong upon anthems,
his favorites being 'Strike the cymbals,' and 'Sound the
loud timbrels o'er Egypt's dark sea.' In one of these
(I have forgotten which) there is an allusion to a roll
of thunder; and here was Abel Gunn'^ opportunity, for
at this point he introduced a sort of organ 'Obligato,'
in which, by the aid of the low stops and notes of his
149
The Records of Christ Church
instrument, lie imitated a crash of thunder with such
fidelity as to win unbounded admiration!"
"I do not remember any occasion when the church was
lighted up except on Christmas Eve, and then it was
done by candles attached in some way to the pillars
that supported the galleries. The church was always
profusely decorated with evergreens on that occasion,
and to me it appeared all light and cheerfulness. I
suppose I must have attended service there four or five
times before I left Poughkeepsie, and one of the things
I learned to regard as an attraction on that evening
(I was generally asleep during the sermon) was the con-
cluding hymn, 'While Shepherds watched their Flocks
by Night,' which was sung to music which I thought
exquisite,and it is fresh in my mind how the words of the
hymn (which, in fact, are exceedingly meagre and poor,
tho' I did not know that then) and the sweetness of the
music (probably not very artistic) charmed my fancy
with the picture of the fearful watch of the shepherds, and
the radiant descent of the angel with his glad message,
and I may say that, in the course of a long life, I have
never heard any better music, or, at least, any that pleas-
ed me more, than that simple hymn in the old Pough-
keepsie church."
A letter from Mr. Ruggles, dated New York, December
8th, 1903, explains itself:
My dear Miss Reynolds,
I send you by express a rough drawing of the interior of the
old "English Church" at Poughkeepsie. _ It was made from
my recollections by my son, who is an architect, and is, of
course, hable to many mistakes in particulars. It is, more-
over, the result of three attempts, of which I used the first two
for guides and correction. I see in it slight errors in small
details, but the main effect, the relative position of pulpit, lec-
150
The Records of Christ Church
tern, and Communion Table, and the general effect of the church
is correct. Of course it is roughly done, there is no attempt
to do fine work in it, but it is exact and near enough to the
reality to give a fairly correct notion of the interior of the old
building, as it once was, and, as such, I thought it might be
serviceable and have therefore ventured to send it.
I remain.
Your friend and servant,
Henry J. Ruggles.
A question, previously referred to, that was put to Mr.
Buggies about the Communion silver was prompted by
the lamentable lack of information which prevails regard-
ing the fate of the two cups and the beaker presented to
the Church in 1774. They disappeared, leaving no hint
nor tradition of what became of them. One of the oldest
members of the congregation, whose death has only just
occurred, surmised the possibility that Dr. Reed had
them melted, and made into something else, as he
thought Dr. Reed had no liking for old things, but this
suggestion was only a supposition. Until very recent
years, the chalices used by this Church in the service of
the Communion were two large cups of ungainly shape,
without hall-marks, not of particularly finished work-
manship, and whose origin is unrecorded. Could
it be that these represent the material of the early
pieces? Our ignorance on this point (and of many
other details of Dr. Reed's administration) might not
have existed if the contemporary treasurer's records
were at hand. It is much to be deplored that the day
books of WilHam Emott and of Thomas L. Davies,
whose combined terms of office as treasurer extended
from 1788 to 1864, are lost, and that the minutes of the
proceedings of the vestry, kept by Dr. Reed, himself, are
exceedingly scanty.
151
^
The Records of Christ Church
Certain it is tliat Dr. Reed introduced some new silver,
for, in the possession of the parish are a flagon and a
paten (the latter still in use) bearing hall-marks which
show that they were made in New York City by John
W. Forbes, who was a silversmith in business there from
1802 to 1829. Also in the possession of the parish, and
in use, are two silver alms-basins, which are marked,
"A donation to Christ Church from Catharine Reade
1818."
The donor of these plates was the widow of the former
warden, John Reade. She occupied a house which
still remains on Market street, guarded and overshadow-
ed by its giant sycamores ; a house which is a landmark
in the town, and replete with suggestion of the particular
charm that immortalized Cranford. Let us appreciate,
before we lose them, our remnants of a regime that is
past!
Mr. Ruggles remembered no Sunday School in Christ
Church prior to his departure from Poughkeepsie in 1824.
It is therefore hardly to be questioned that the mention of
"70 Sunday Scholars," in Dr. Reed's parochial report
to the Diocesan Convention of 1824, marks the begin-
ning in that year of that important branch of parish work.
The first Sunday School work in the Diocese of New
York was organized in New York City in 1817 by the
formation of the New York Protestant Episcopal
Sunday School Society, but, although Christ Church
Sunday School opened in 1824 with seventy pupils, it
was not until October 19th, 1829, that the Protestant
Episcopal Sunday School Society of Christ Church in
Poughkeepsie adopted a name and a constitution,
elected officers, a board of managers and a board of
visitors, and planned its work. How long it maintained
152
The Records oj Christ Church
a corporate existence, its single volume of records does
not show. Two superintendents were appointed in
October, 1829, Benjamin C. Van Vliet and Mrs. Anne
Greene, who had under them a corps of eighteen teachers
(seven men and eleven women) for one hundred and four
pupils (forty-eight boys and fifty-six girls). r. The func-
tion of the visitors to the school was defined as, "to
visit the scholars and animate them to do;^their duty."
The organizing members of this parochial society were:
President
Vice-President
Treasurer
Secretary
Managers
John Cooper
Wm. T. Belden
Elias Trivett
J. L. Fonda
Walter Cunningham
Paraclete Potter
Henry Conklin
Marinus Pierce
Visitors
James Emott
William Davies
Geo. P. Oakley
Elias Trivett
John H. Davis
James Hooker
N. P. TaUmadge
Thomas L. Davies
John Stanwix
John D. Robinson
Stephen Pardee
Richard I. Fonda
Jonathan Wadsworth
Richard Pudney
Warren Skinner
John Reed, D.D.
Wm. T. Belden
John L. Fonda
Richard D. Davis
Isaac Piatt
Benj. C. Van Vliet
Geo. M. Van Kleeck
Eliphaz Fay
Frederick T. Parsons
Chester Turner
George Hatch
Mrs. N. P. TaUmadge
Mrs. T. L. Davies
Mrs. J. D. Robinson
Mrs. Dr. Reed
Mrs. J. Hooker
Mrs. J. Emott
Mrs. William Davies
Mrs. I. I. Balding
Mrs. Ann Green
Miss Elizabeth Parkinson
Mrs. Leonard Davis
Mrs. J. W. Oakley
Miss Sally Davis
Mrs. John L. Fonda
Miss Harriet Smith."
153
The Records of C hr i s t Church
The land surrounding the church had been used for
burial purposes from the time of the erection of the
building. So early as 1775 the vestry formulated rules
governing interments; they ordered, then, that the
sexton was to be applied to when it was desired to have
a grave opened in the churchyard, and that two shillings
were to be paid for the use of the church for funerals, and,
in 1786, it was further voted to have a "decent board
fence put about the Churchyard." The yard was not a
large one, and by 1816 the vestry thought well to
authorize Mr. Reed "to negotiate for ground for a
Burial place, and to report thereon." Neither at that
time was anything accomplished, nor in 1825, when the
proposition was again brought up, but, in 1828, the
property was acquired on which the present church
building stands. It is part of a tract which the early
maps of Poughkeepsie show was a village common, and
it was spoken of as "the common" so late as in the boy-
hood of Henry J. Ruggles, about 1820. It sufifered
encroachments by squatters (as had the common north-
east of the village, adjoining the Church glebe), and
Dr. Reed had to untie some tangles in the title before
the Corporation took final possession.
The map of Poughkeepsie for 1790 shows Ragged
Lane (now Academy street), starting at Main street and
ending at a road that is now Montgomery street; on the
south side of that road, facing Ragged Lane, was "Van
Kleeck's White House." How Lawrence Van Kleeck came
into possession of the portion of the common surrounding
his house does not appear, but, in 1791, he having died,
the Sheriff sold this land to George Ludlow of New York,
to satisfy judgments against Van Kleeck's heirs, and Dr.
Reed purchased from George Ludlow's devisees.
154
The Records ofChrist Church
Meanwhile, a large section of the common had come
into the hands of a certain Bronson French. Tradition
says that French's farm was steadily increased in size
by the occasional, quiet advancement of his fences.
However that may be, his boundaries, as put forth by
him, stood in the way of a clear transfer from the Lud-
lows to Dr. Reed, and it was necessary to extinguish his
claim by procuring a separate deed from him, in which
the consideration named is one dollar. The price paid
by Dr. Reed to the Ludlows in 1828 was $666.67, for an
undivided interest in about seven acres of land. The
seven acres were held in common by the Church and the
Ludlows until December 20th, 1836, when a deed of
partition was signed. By this deed, the Church took
title^ to all the land between Montgomery and Barclay
to the north and south, and Hamilton and Academy to
the east and west, except the lot on the southeast
corner of Montgomery and Carroll, and a narrow strip at
the northwest corner of Barclay and South Hamilton,
which were retained by the Ludlow heirs.
Dr. Reed's purchase from the Ludlows was made on
January 15th, 1828, and his deed from Bronson French
he obtained on March 15th, following. On April 19th,
the vestry endorsed his action, and voted to reimburse
him for the money he had advanced, not only for the
purchase price, but also for the improvement of the land,
the minute stating that one half of it had then been laid
out in plots, and enclosed as a burying-ground.
Among the parish records is a small account book,
with entries in Dr. Reed's writing, giving his receipts
and disbursements in behalf of the burying-ground.
1 Deeds relating to this property are filed in the County Clerk's
office, Liber 42, pp. 1, 3, 4; 58, p. 401; 59, p. 593; 61, p. 441.
155
The Records ofChrist Church
This little book shows that from January 15th to May
26th, 1828, he was busy preparing the ground for the use
to which it was to be put, removing stones, laying out
paths, embanking terraces, sowing Timothy seed, setting
boundary stones, buying locust posts, bolts and locks, etc.
The item of expenditure of greatest interest to the
present generation is that of $31 . 25 for one hundred and
twenty-five trees. The elms and maples, the sycamores
and evergreens, the dogwoods and the old English
hawthorn of our church square are dear to us all. How
many of them were set out by Dr. Reed in the spring of
1828 at twenty -five cents apiece?
The total expense incurred by Dr. Reed in this matter
was $1,400.78; about half was for the land and half for
its development, labor occasioning most of the cost of the
latter. To meet the amount a subscription was taken
in March, April and May, 1828, by which $1,130.00 was
raised, thus leaving but a small deficiency for a vestry
appropriation.
Dr. Reed recorded his receipts from this subscription,
and the names of the subscribers are probably equivalent
to a list of the original plot owners:
Isaac I. BaldwiB
$10.00
William Davies
$80.00
Frederick Barnard
20.00
Thomas L. Davies
20.00
William T. Belden
20.00
William A. Davies
20.00
Amaziah Blakeslee
10.00
Henry Davis
40.00
David Boyd
10.00
Leonard Davis
40.00
Gilbert Brewster
40.00
Richard D. Davis
20.00
Josiah Burritt
20.00
John Depew
10.00
George Clark
10.00
Capt. Dutton
10.00
Stephen Cleveland
20.00
James Emott
40.00
Harry Conklin
40.00
Peter Everitt
40.00
Dr. John Cooper
20.00
Henry A. Fields
10.00
Walter Cunningham
40.00
Stephen Fogerson
10.00
Myron Dakin
10.00
John L. Fonda
20.00
156
The Records oj Christ Church
Richard I. Fonda
$10.00
Stephen Pardee
$10.00
Joseph Gavit
10.00
John Parkinson
20.00
Capt. Robert Gill
10.00
Mariniis Pierce
10.00
Samuel and Joseph
Paraclete Potter
20.00
Gunn
10.00
Richard Pudney
10.00
Barney Hawkins
10.00
John D. Robinson
20.00
Nathaniel Hill
10.00
Philo& Samuel B.
Gertrude Hoffman
10.00
Ruggles
20.00
James Hooker
20.00
Warren Skinner
10.00
Robert I. Kidney
10.00
John Stanwix
10.00
Leonard Maison
20.00
Nathaniel P. Tallmadge 40. 00
Gideon Mosely
10.00
Dr. William Thomas
10.00
John P. Myers
10.00
Dr. Elias Trivett
40.00
Thomas J. Oakley
40.00
Jonathan Wadsworth
40.00
George P. Oakley
20.00
Frederick Woodruff
10.00
John W. Oakley
20.00
WiUiam Worrall
10.00
This property of Christ Church came to be commonly
called "the old English burying-ground." It continued
in use as a cemetery until the growth of the city led the
Common Council, about 1871, to prohibit further inter-
ments, and, in the late seventies and the eighties it had
become so densely overgrown, such an unkempt, sorry
sight, that children hurried past its high picket fence to
escape the awe with which its shadows filled them. This
chaos was reduced to order in 1887, and, in the clearance
which then took place, there was revealed a stone with
an inscription of rare beauty and simplicity, to which a
little story is attached.
In the days of Queen Anne, a Lieutenant Willoughby
of the British Army was sent with his regiment to the
West Indies,where he left the Army, married and settled.
In the first quarter of the nineteenth century, the?e came
to Poughkeepsie one of his descendants, a young man,
who, so long as he remained here, was a faithful member
of this parish, and between whom and Samuel Ruggles
157
The Records oj Christ Church
there grew up a David and Jonathan friendship. Wil-
loughby has been described to the writer by Samuel
Ruggles's brother, the late Henry J. Ruggles, as a youth
of gentle nature and refined face. He left Poughkeepsie
about 1821 (as did Samuel Ruggles also), and died
suddenly in New York City a few years later. His
body was brought back here, to the English burying-
ground, and there Samuel Ruggles placed a stone, by
which the name Willoughby is made fragrant for Christ
Church with the sweetness of true sentiment. Surely
an altar to friendship is this monument that bears only
the words:
My
Dear Friend
WILLOUGHBY
Died
1827
One reason why the purchase of a new burial-ground
was advocated was that very little free space remained
in the church lot, in the immediate vicinity of the build-
ing, and what there was would be wanted in the event
of additions or alterations to the latter.
The necessity for enlarging the first church, or erecting
a second one, became apparent soon after the installment
of John Reed as Rector. Under his ministrations, the
congregation so increased that the enlargement of the
building was discussed in 1814 and 1815, and rather
extensive repairs and additions were actually made in
1822, although just what they were is not known. They
proved insufficient for the still growing need, and, on
February 1st, 1833, the vestry resolved to build an en-
tirely new church.
158
VIEW OF THE PRESENT CHURCH BUILDING
From the northwest
The shrubbery at the left surrounds the monument to Willoughby
Copyright, 1910. Frank B. Howard
The Records of Christ Church
Dr. Reed, Dr. Trivett and Richard D. Davis were
appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions, upon a
stock plan which had been followed by Trinity Church,
New Haven, in 1813. A letter of March 22d, 1832,
from the Rector of Trinity, the Rev. Harry Crosswell,
to Dr. Reed, is among our parish papers, and endorses
this scheme as having been successful in New Haven.
In accordance with it, the subscriptions made were
received as loans by the Corporation of Christ Church,
which issued to each subscriber a certificate, and agreed
to pay the holder four per cent annual interest, the Cor-
poration reserving to itself the right to pay the principal
at its own pleasure.
The certificates were transferable, and in the course
of years many transfers did take place, which make the
accounts relating to this debt on the church somewhat
complicated. Just when the whole debt was extinguish-
ed is difficult to determine.
The recorded subscriptions amounted to $11,500.00,
and certificates aggregating $6,000.00 were at once
surrendered to the Church as gifts. Dr. Reed, person-
ally, from time to time, bought up $2,150.00 worth of
scrip, which, upon the death of his widow in 1858, was
sold by the executor of his estate to William A. Davies,
and by Mr. Davies presented to the Church. Scrip,
amounting to $1,850.00, was gradually acquired by
Stephen M. Buckingham, who, on October 18th, 1870,
sold the same to the Corporation for $1,024.20. The
Corporation was enabled to make the purchase of Mr.
Buckingham by means of a legacy received in 1870 from
the estate of William Davies's widow.
The names of the original subscribers and the amounts
of their subscriptions are:
159
The Records ofChrist Church
Isaac I. Balding $ 50
Frederick Barnard 100
WUliam T. Belden 100
Gilbert Brewster 500
Josiah Burritt 100
Dr. John Cooper 100
Walter Cunningham 500
William Davies 2,000
Thomas L. Davies 500
Hannah Davis 500.
Henry Davis 500 .
JohnDepew 100
James Emott 1,000
Alexander Forbus 200
Abel Gunn Jr. 100
Abijah S. Hatch 50
Gertrude Hoffman 150
James Hooker 500
William Hoyle, Jr. 50
Edward K. James 200
Charles Johnston 300
Leonard Maison 100
00* George C. Marshall $100.00
00 Isaac M. Newcomb 150 . 00
00 George P. Oakley
00 Mary Parkinson
00 Marinus Pierce
00* Richard Pudney
00 David V. N. Radcliffe 100 . 00
00 * John D. Robinson 250 . 00
00* Charles H. Ruggles
00* Hunting Sherrill
00* Stephen Southwick
00* John Stanwix
00* William S. Stevens
00* Nathaniel P. Tall-
00 madge
00 William Thomas
00* Henry I. Traver
00* Dr. Elias Trivett
00 Joseph J. Waldron
00* Charles Warner
00 Thomas Williams & Son 200.00
00 George W. WooUey 100.00
500.00
500.00
50.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00*
100.00
300.00
100.00
200.00
500 . 00
100.00
50.00
In March, 1833, Dr. Reed, Richard D. Davis and
Thomas L. Davies were appointed a committee to ob-
tain a plan and proposals for the building. Their report,
submitted on April 13th, was adopted, and they were
authorized to make a contract with Elijah Northrop to
build the new church for a price not to exceed $11,000.00
and such parts of the old building as might be wanted.
The contract drawn fixed the price as $10,900.00, which
was all paid between June 17th, 1833, and July 24th,
1834, and, on June 5th, 1834, the building was consecrat-
ed by Bishop Onderdonck.
The only contemporary reference to the consecra-
tion service that has been seen is one made by
the Bishop in his address to the Diocesan Convention
* Scrip surrendered to the Corporation as a gift.
160
EXTERIOR OF THE SECOND CHURCH BUILDING
Erected 1834
From a photograph taken in 1889
The Records ofChrist Church
that year. He said that "on Thursday (June) 5th it
gave me great pleasure to consecrate Christ Church,
Poughkeepsie, a handsome and commodious brick edifice,
erected by that ancient and respectable parish on the site
of their former church. The increased accomodations
for worship afforded by this church were rendered neces-
sary by the enlargement of the parish, which, by God's
blessing, had attended the labors of the nearly five-and-
twenty years incumbency of the present Rector."
The exterior of this building is familiar to all at the
present day from photographs, and to many from rec-
ollection also.
The interior was not the same when the church was
built that it was in later years, and no pictures exist of
it as it was in 1834, but the specifications for the build-
ing (on file with the parish papers) and the memory of a
few persons still living, who knew it well in their youth,
afford us the information that it was essentially the same,
in general plan, as the first church, with only one im-
portant exception.
The exception was that, behind the three-decker pulpit,
desk and Communion Table (which were newly built for
the second church), instead of a window was a wood screen
about twenty-five feet high and fifteen feet wide, set
about three feet out from the east wall of the church.
The main portion of the screen was done in panel work,
and the top terminated in three Gothic arches. In the
center of the panel work a door opened out toward the
congregation, on a level with the floor of the high pul-
pit, the door being reached by a staircase behind the
screen. The narrow space between the screen and the
wall was used as a robing-room, and entry was had to it
by a door at the north end.
161
The Records ofChrist Church
It was the custom then for the clergy to lay aside the
surplice, or sacramental vestment, when entering the
pulpit, and to perform their teaching function in the
academic gown. Hence, from 1834 to 1854, while this
screen was in existence, the children in Christ Church
used to watch eagerly for what they considered a delight-
ful Jack-in-the-Box performance. The Rector would
leave the reading-desk just before the sermon, disappear
through the door at the north end of the screen wearing
his surplice, and suddenly reappear, in the high pulpit,
in his black gown.
The children in Dr. Buel's time, especially, enjoyed
this incident, for Dr. Buel was a man of quick, nervous
movements, and he seemed to veritably burst through the
screen-door into the pulpit. And not only the children
were impressed by his motions. The writer has been
told, by one who was a young woman in the days of Dr.
Buel and the screen, that his angular, sidewise jerk of
his shoulders, as he twisted himself through the narrow
door at the north end one Sunday soon after his institu-
tion as Rector, made her companion whisper to her
spontaneously, "We never could call a, fat parson!"
One of the first formal occasions in the new Christ
Church occurred a month after its consecration, when,
on July 3d, 1834, a memorial service for General La
Fayette was held. The day was observed in the village
by a national salute at sunrise and a single gun half-
hourly all day; at ten A.M. a procession formed, under
command of General Leonard Maison, its march ending
"at the Episcopal Church, where" (says The Poughkeepsie
Telegraph, July 9th, 1834) " the solemn funeral service
of that Church was pronounced, some appropriate
pieces sung by its excellent choir under the management
162
The Records ofChrist Church
of Mr. Benjamin C. Van Vliet, and a most apposite
and eloquent address delivered by Robert Wilkinson, Esq.
From the time the procession took up its march until its
entrance in church, all the bells of the village were tolled,
colors were displayed at half mast on the principal hotels
and by the vessels at the landings, and the banners and
badges of the different societies in the procession were
dressed in mourning, and crepe was worn on the left
arm by each person."
Again, on May 14th, 1841, when President William
Henry Harrison died, Christ Church was the scene of a
union memorial service, arranged by a village committee.
The Rector was requested to read such portions of the
Church liturgy as he thought suitable. Homer W^heaton,
Esq., was invited to deliver an oration, and the combined
choirs of the village rendered "a Requiem prepared for
the occasion," entitled "On the death of General Harri-
son. Air — Poughkeepsie."^
The increase in Dr. Reed's congregation, which led to
the erection of a new church building in 1834, was par-
alleled by the multiplication of Episcopalians in this
vicinity in the thirties.
Prior to this, the Protestant Episcopal Church had
extended itself very little in Dutchess County, the only
existing parishes in 1830, beside our own, being Trinity
Church, Fishkill Village ; St. Peter's, Lithgow ; St. Paul's,
Red Hook (Tivoli) ; and St. James's, Hyde Park.
After 1809 (when Christ and Trinity Churches ceased
to be in the care of the same clergyman), and until 1835,
Trinity had a series of short incumbencies, interspersed
with long vacancies. The Diocesan Convention, in 1816
1 The Poughkeepsie Journal, May 12th, 1841.
163
The Records of Christ Church
and 1817, united it with St. Peter's, Peekskill, and St.
Philip's, Phillipstown, under the Rev. Petrus Ten
Broeck, and, in times of vacancy, the Convention fre-
quently commissioned Dr. Reed to supply the congre-
gation.
St. Peter's maintained existence, but with small en-
couragement, and almost no settled clerical attention.
St. Paul's organized^ in 1816, and was represented in
the Diocesan Convention in 1817, but its roots are
perhaps traceable farther back, as has been shown in
Chapter IV.
Several early parishioners of Christ Church were
residents of Hyde Park, notably Judge John Johnston,
William Bard, William Broome, Richard De Cantillon
and Jacob Bush, and in 1812, they, with other Episco-
palians who had settled at Hyde Park, organized^ St.
James's Church, which was represented in Convention
that same year, and has had continuous and prosperous
existence for a century.
Between 1830 and 1840 four new parishes were es-
tablished in the county.
In 1833, St. Anna's, Fishkill Landing, organized^ and
was represented in Convention, the present St. Luke's,
Matteawan, being the same as St. Anna's in all respects,
except for a changed name and a new site for the church
building.
In 1834, Zion Church, Wappingers Falls, formed a
vestry'* and was admitted into union with the diocese.
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 84.
2 Ibid., p. 67.
3 Ibid., p. 106.
4 Ibid., p. 111.
164
PEN AND INK SKETCH
Made in 1834, of the Screen which was in the Second Church
from 1834 to 1854
Proportions of sketch faulty, but design correct
J, « ./< J/^'^ '^^ «"' / >w X.
The Records of Christ Church
St. Paul's, Poughkeepsie, was founded in 1835 by the
leaders of the Improvement Party, as part of their plan
for the development of a desirable residence section in
the village. These men laid out Mansion Square, and
purposed to surround it with handsome dwellings, and
they believed that a Church was needed there. As
most of them were members of Christ Church, it followed
that it was an Episcopal Church they organized.^
The site for a building was donated by Walter Cunning-
ham, Paraclete Potter and George P. Oakley. Oakley,
Potter and Nathaniel P. Tallmadge were the most active
in establishing St. Paul's, and withdrew entirely from
Christ Church to promote the welfare of the new parish.
In the initial steps toward its formation, they obtained
the help of several members of Christ Church, who
served a few terms in the vestry at St. Paul's, until
the permanency of the new Church was assured, but
who did not sever their original parochial connection.
The first Rector of St. Paul's, the Rev. Frederick W.
Hatch, assumed his duties in Poughkeepsie in June, 1836,
and that summer began to hold services at Pleasant
Valley also,^ with the result that in 1837 St. Paul's,
Pleasant Valley, was organized,^ and sent delegates to
Convention.
One other parish, St. Peter's, Pawlingsville, is men-
tioned at this time. It was organized^ in 1839, and
reported itself to Convention that year, but seems to
have passed out of existence, since.
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records. Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 118.
2 Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1836.
3 Dutchess County Clerk's records, Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 127.
4 Ibid., p. 135.
165
The Records of Christ Church
The spread of the Church in Dutchess County occurred
in the latter part of Dr. Reed's rectorate in Pough-
keepsie, just as his age and the accumulated effect of his
long continued labor for this parish began to tell upon
him. His handwriting in 1839 shows a palsied tendency,
and this probably indicates the first of the several para-
lytic strokes he suffered, and from which he died in 1845.
As he recognized the failure of his health, he became
greatly concerned for the future of the congregation
which he had spent his life in gathering and serving, and
he deliberately set about choosing his own successor.
On January 1st, 1842, he wrote a letter to the vestry
in which he said that "increasing age, bringing with it
some infirmities, has reminded me that the time will
soon come, if, indeed, not already arrived, when I should
be unable to perform all the multiplied duties devolving
upon me as Rector of the Church, either with profit to
the people or satisfaction to myself; I have however
been meditating an appeal to you for assistance. As
soon as the now Rev. Mr. Wheaton determined to take
Orders, knowing his more than common talents, pru-
dence, and piety, I was desirous of securing his services
for our congregation, and hence early had a conversation
with him upon the subject. ***** j therefore.
Gentlemen, take the liberty of recommending that you
employ him, and cannot but express the hope that
he will finally become your Rector."
The vestry at once complied with Dr. Reed's request,
and, in January, 1842, the Rev. Homer Wheaton became
Assistant Minister in Christ Church. Dr. Reed's full
confidence in, and approval of, Mr. Wheaton, was again
expressed in a sermon in February, 1845, when he told the
members of Christ Church that "the desire has for sever-
166
\
iiWWte
THE REV. JOHN REED, S.T.D.
Rector of Christ Church, 1810-1845
From a daguerreotype in the possession of his granddaughter
Mrs. Robert E. Coxe
'■"-'^-' — ^"^^
The Records oj Christ Church
al years occupied my mind, that, when we shall be
separated, I might leave you in the charge of a wise and
faithful shepherd. And now I rejoice in the confident
hope that, when I shall be called hence, I shall leave you
under the guidance in spiritual things of one, who is my
own deliberate choice, and who, I believe, is worthy of
the charge of immortal souls."
The sermon containing the above passage was Dr.
Reed's farewell to his people. It was read to the con-
gregation by Mr. Wheaton, on the Third Sunday in
Lent (February 23d), 1845, and was afterward printed
in pamphlet form, and is a touching expression of the
love he bore his people and his sense of his spiritual
responsibility toward them. His subject was "Peace,'*
and, after a treatment of it which was an unconscious
revelation of the ripe strength and beauty of his own
character, he added:
And now, my beloved brethren, let me commend this sub-
ject to your understanding and your hearts, as the last legacy
I can leave you. I do it, not in the exact sense of a valedic-
tory, but I send it to you as a word of counsel in season, under
a strong apprehension that my infirmities may prevent my bid-
ding you a farewell.
It is now nearly thirty-five years since I took pastoral charge
of this congregation, and it is among my most pleasant reflec-
tions that, through this long period, uninterrupted peace and
harmony have obtained among you. And I am thankful in
bemg able to say that never has the thought, even, disturbed
my mind that your harmony would be interrupted, or that
heresy and schism would distract you.
This happy state of things has not arisen from any ability of
mine, or from respect to, or mfluence of, my imperfect labors,
but it has been the fruit of growing piety to God, and increas'
ing good will to each other. You have passed through many
trying scenes, but you have come out from them unharmed;
and, all ofiPences forgiven and forgotten, you here bowed to-
167
The Records ofChrist Church
gether at the consecrated altar of your common Head and
Father.
I have been among you in many and various scenes, by day
and by night, I have accompanied you in the days of your
prosperity, and have rejoiced when you rejoiced. And O, in
how many scenes of sorrow have I been with you!
Brethren, I stand to you m a nearer relationship, and am
bound to you by stronger ties than I have language to de-
scribe. A great portion of this congregation have I had in my
arms, and united them to Christ's body in the holy sacrament
of baptism; many of you, brethren, — and would to God the
number had been greater, — have I admitted to the comfortable
sacrament of the Holy Supper. When I first came among you,
I publicly told you that I came to serve you in the most mo-
mentous of all human relations, and, in discharging my duties,
to live and die with you; and that I was determined to know
nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
The sermon closed with a prayer for peace, the spirit
of which prayer the parish may well absorb, for all time,
for its guidance, and as a valued bequest from one to
whom it owes an incalculable debt:
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only
Saviour, the Prince of peace, give us grace seriously to lay to
heart the great danger of dissensions and divisions, and ear-
nestly to strive to maintain and set forward quietness, peace
and love among all Christian people;
Take away all hatred, prejudice and whatsoever else may
hinder us from godly union and concord;
That, as there is but one body, and one spirit, and one hope
of our calling, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of
us all, so may we henceforth be all of one heart and of one soul,
united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and char-
ity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify Thee,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dr. Reed died July 6th, 1845, and the attendance at
the funeral services,^ held in the church, bore eloquent
1 The Churchman, July 26th, 1845.
168
The Records ofChrist Church
tribute to the affection and respect in which he had been
held. The ojQBciating clergy were the Rev. Homer
Wheaton, Assistant Minister, and the Rev. Edward
Davis of St. Paul's Church, Charlton, New York (a
spiritual son of Christ Church), the Rev. Reuben
Sherwood of St. James's, Hyde Park, and the Rev.
Dr. John Brown of St. George's, Newburgh, who preach-
ed the sermon. The church was draped in black, and the
members of the vestry wore crepe on the left arm for
thirty days.
In 1910, in the congregation of Christ Church, there
are probably only a few who are familiar with Dr.
Reed's name, or who realize about him more than that he
was a good man who once lived and labored here as Rector.
It is therefore hardly possible to emphasize too strongly
the truth that this same congregation of 1910 owes to
him many of its blessings.
Dr. Reed came to Poughkeepsie in the summer of 1810,
just a century ago, and his thirty-five years of quiet,
wise, and faithful work secured to Christ Church a posi-
tion of dignity and honor in the community, a hundred
years of steady growth, and a membership loyal and
devoted unto the third and fourth generations.
Names of Pewholders
1810-1832
The pews were sold annually from August, 1810, to August, 1832,
the building being torn down in 1833. The individuals, whose names
are here given, did not all buy pews every year, but the list includes all
those who did purchase from 1810 to 1832:
B. Ebenezer Badger; Sarah and Susan Baker; Valentine
Baker; (Cat.? Baker?); Richard S. Balding; Charlotte
Baldwin; Isaac I. Baldwin; William Bard ; Frederick H.
Barnard; Charles P. Barnum; Thomas Barrett; Mrs.
169
The Records oj Christ Church
Barrett; William T. Belden; Jedediali Benjamin; Mrs.
Billings; Amaziah Blakesley; George Bloom; William
W. Bogardus; Joseph A. Bostwick; Jabez Bosworth;
Joseph Bowman; Godfrey Bowman; George Boyd; Gil-
bert Brewster; David Brooks; Joseph Brown; Thomas
Brownejohn; John Brush; Uriah Bulkley; William H.
Bulkley; Dennis Burke; Josiah Burritt; R. Burritt;
Jacob Bush; Philo Bush.
C. AlvaT. Canfield; Edward Gary; Allen Clarke; Stephen
Cleveland; Henry Conklin; Nathan Conklin; Dr. John
Cooper; Archibald C. Crary; Sarah Crary; JohnCrooke;
Mrs. Cropsey; Joseph H. Cunningham; Walter Cunning-
ham.
D. E. K. Dakin; Thomas L.Davies; William Davies; Daniel
Davis; Henry Davis; John Davis; Mrs. John Davis,
John H.Davis; Leonard Davis; Richard Davis ; "Wid'w
Sally Davis;" Warren DeLancey; John DePew; Mrs. De
Puyster; Mrs. Deveaux; Isaac Doughty; Samuel Dut-
ton; Stephen Duzenbury; Joshua Dyett.
E. James Emott; WiUiam Emott; Peter Everitt; Richard
ard Everitt; George B. Evertson.
F. Nathaniel Ferris; John Field; Samuel Flewelling; John
L. Fonda; Richard Fonda; Alexander Forbus; ( ? )
Franklyn; Bronson French; Mrs. Frith.
G. George Gallimore; Ezekiel Gardner; ( ? ) Gavitt; John B.
Gay; ( ? ) Gay; Robert Gill; Thomas Goelet; James
Gorrell; James Graham; Mrs. Ann Green; William
Gullen; Abel Gunn; Joseph Gunn; Mrs. Gunn.
H. George Halliwell; Frederick Harrison; James Harvey;
Dr. Hasbrouck; Daniel Hebard; John Jay Hebard; Adam
Henderson; Stephen Hendricksen; ( ? ) Herrick; Robert
Hitchcock; Mrs. A. Hoffman; Mrs. Gertrude Hoffman;
John L. Holthuysen; James Hooker; Matthew Hopper;
Stephen Hoyt; Mrs. Hoyt; Guy Hyde.
I. Mrs. Ingraham.
J. Richard James; ( ? ) Jarvis; F. W. Jewett; Nathan Jew-
ett; Samuel Johnson; John Johnston, Esq.
K. Robert Kearney; Henry Kelsey; Gilbert Ketcham;
Lydia Kidney; Nathaniel Kimball.
L. David B. Lent; Sabin Lewis; Joseph G. Lightbourne.
170
The Rec or ds of C hr i s t Church
M. Leonard Maison; Peter R. Maison; James Meeks; Mat-
thew Mesier; Nathaniel G. Minturn; Mrs. Michael;
Isaac Mitchell; Mary Mitchell; Robert Mitchell; Statia
Mitchell; Stephen Mitchell; Mrs. Mitchell; Daniel
Mooney; Peter B. Morgan; Gideon Moseley; Mrs.
Moseley; John P. Myers; Nathan Myers; N. Myers, Jr.;
Peter Ten Broeck Myers.
N. Jacob Nelson; George Newport ; Dr. William W. NichoU;
Mr. NichoUs; Benjamin Noble; Bartholomew Noxon;
Robert Noxon; Ebenezer Nye.
O. George Peters Oakley; John W. Oakley; Thomas J. Oak-
ley; William Osborn.
P. John Pardee; Stephen Pardee; Sylvester Parker; Miss
Parker; JohnParkmson; Chester Parsons; Seth Parsons;
Mrs. Parsons; E.T.Payne; Grove A. Pease; David Phil-
lips; Mrs. Phillips; John Pierce; Marnius Pierce; Miss
Rebecca Pierce; Captain Pierce; Mr. Pierson; Paraclete
Potter; Sheldon Potter; Richard Pudney.
R. David Van Ness Radcliff; Nathaniel Radford; Mr. Rain-
geard; John Reade; Mrs. Reade; Henry Relay; Mrs.
Henry Relay; John D. Robinson; Charles P. Rogers;
Hilen Rudd; Theron Rudd; Nathaniel Ruggles; Philo
Ruggles; John Ryan.
S.^ James Sands; WiUiam Sands; Samuel Sibley; Warren
Skinner; Gerard S. Sloan; Abel Smith; Granville Smith;
William C. Smith; Reuben Spencer; John Stanwix; Ellas
Steenburgh; Damon Stephens; Randall S. Street; A. B.
Swift.
T. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge; George Taylor; Dr. Taylor;
Dr. John Thomas; Dr. William Thomas; Abiel G.
Thompson; Mrs. Abiel Thompson; E. Thompson; Dr.
Elias Trivett; William Turner.
V. Jacob Van Ben thuysen; James L. Van Kleeck; Lawrence
I. Van Kleeck; Jacob Van Ness; Hiram Veltman.
W. Jonathon Wadsworth; Joseph J. Waldron; ( ? ) Ward;
Richard Wiley; Thomas Williams ; Mrs. Wilson; Frede-
rick Woodruff; William H. Worrall; Amaziah Wright;
Dr. Wright.
Y. Mrs. Yelverton.
171
CHAPTER VII
1845-1875
THE RISE OF THE HIGH CHURCH PARTY. ITS WORK FOR CHURCH
EXTENSION, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS. CHURCHMANSHIP
IN THIS PARISH. THE REV. HOMER WHEATON. THE
PARISH LIBRARY. REPAIRS TO THE CHURCH BUILDING.
THE FONT. THE CHANDELIERS. THE DOVE. THE PARISH
SCHOOL. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN POUGH-
KEEPSIE. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH OF THE
HOLY COMFORTER. CHURCH SCHOOLS. ST. BARNABAS's
HOSPITAL. REMINISCENCES OF 1842-1847. ERECTION OF
A SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM, 1848. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
CHURCH BELLS. THE CHANCEL ALTERED. VESTMENTS.
THE DEVELOPMENT IN CHURCH MUSIC. OBSERVANCE OF
CHRISTMAS. PERSONNEL OF THE CONGREGATION. SPE-
CIAL SERVICES. BUSINESS MATTERS. THE REV. DR. CADY.
DUTCHESS CONVOCATION.
IN the latter part of the rectorate of Dr. Reed a new
party arose in the Episcopal Church in the United
States.
Hitherto, the Low Church school of thought had been
dominant, except in New York, where Bishop Hobart's
influence prevailed. Hence, it follows that this parish,
moulded by Dr. Reed in harmony with Bishop Hobart's
teachings, was many years in advance of its time in
absorbing certain principles, which, later, became more
widely known and accepted in the period with which this
chapter is concerned.
In 1833 a group of men at Oxford University took the
first steps in what came to be known as the Oxford
Movement. Profoundly imbued with a belief in the
172
The Records of Christ Church
Apostolic origin and authority of the Anglican Commun-
ion, and of the importance of the sacraments in religious
life, Newman, Pusey, Keble, Froude and others began
their crusade to awaken the Church of England to a
realizing sense of her own nature, claims and privileges,
to which, in great measure, she had become indifferent.
Their famous series of Tracts for the Times, published
1833-1841, created widespread discussion in this country
as well as in England, and was largely responsible for the
emergence of the High Church party into well defined
existence.
This school believed that Episcopalians possessed in
the Episcopate an institution that was traceable, his-
torically, to the days of the Apostles; that the power of
the Bishop of Rome was an accretion, several centuries
after the Apostles, and that the many bodies of Christians
(of various nomenclature), formed since the Reformation,
were not validly organized. They considered Rome and
the Denominations to be equally additions to, and de-
partures from, the primitive Christian Church, one
branch of which had perpetuated itself in the Church of
England.
These High Churchmen further proclaimed that re-
ligion was not merely individual, but corporate as well.
Not merely the relation of a man's soul to its Maker
(the chief concern of the Low Churchmen), but that
relation sustained and fed by the sacraments of the
visible Church.
Their idea of the historical continuity of the Episcopal
Church gave them an appreciation of law and order, and
that, in turn, made them a conservative force, opposed
to all irregularities of ordination or innovations in
doctrine.
173
The Records ofChrist Church
With the conception of the Church as a living, in-
herited organism certain views of the sacraments were
correlated, and the latter ultimately wrought a revolu-
tion in America in the chancels of our churches, the
ritual of our services, the vestments of the clergy and in
the architecture of church buildings. The New England
meeting-house type gave way before this reversion to the
cruciform, Gothic structures of the mother Church of
England, and the three-decker pulpit, desk and Table
underwent a kaleidescopic separation. The Tables were
put back into the newly created chancels, and became
solidly built Altars, and the pulpits and desks were moved
to subordinate, lateral positions.
When the High Church party first began to form, the
machinery of the Church, such as the administration of
foreign missionary work, was under the direction of the
Low Churchmen. The zeal and consecration of the new
element demanding an outlet, it came about that new
agencies for Christian service were called into being at
home, and High Churchmen came to be identified with
schools and hospitals and religious orders, and the
establishment of new parishes, all of which provided an
opportunity for action near at hand.
These developments in the Church as a whole were
reproduced in Christ Church in miniature.
Our Rectors from 1845 to 1875 were the Rev. Homer
Wheaton, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Buel and the Rev. Dr.
Philander K. Cady. Dr. Buel and Dr. Cady were ex-
ponents of High Church principles. Mr. Wheaton began
his ministry in sympathy with the teachings of his precep-
tor, Dr. Reed, and he was an invigorating force for good in
this parish in the short time that his connection with it
lasted; but, some years after he left Poughkeepsie, his
174
ci^SI-S-J
jaammmmm/m
THE REV. HOMER WHEATON
Assistant Minister of Christ Church, 1842-1845
Rector, 1846-1847
From a miniature in the possession of his grandson
Isaac S. Wheaton
wm
The Records oj Christ Church
intellectual processes led him to renounce his Orders in the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and to enter the Roman
Communion as a layman. Jolm Henry Newman was his
friend and correspondent, and, just as Newman's spiritu-
ality is, through his writings, the heritage of all Christians,
regardless of outward divisions, so may Christ Church
well treasure a knowledge of the beauty of mind and
temper of one who once served and loved her, although
separated from her later in other ecclesiastical bonds.
Mr. Wheaton was virtually Rector of Christ Church
all the time that he was nominally Assistant Minister,
that is to say from 1842 to 1845. He and his wife came
to Poughkeepsie to hve, about 1837, he being a lawyer,
and Poughkeepsie offering a promising field for the prac-
tice of his profession; but he soon came under Dr. Reed's
personal observation and influence, and, by 1841, had
decided to be ordained to the ministry. His admission
to the Diaconate took place in Christ Church on Decem-
ber 9th, 1841, and on January 1st, 1842, he became as-
sistant to Dr. Reed, being advanced to the Priesthood
November 13th, 1842. In the five years of his official
connection with this congregation he made so deep an
impression, in that which is Christlike in personal
character, that the few persons, now remaining, who
were here then, speak of him with emotion and enthu-
siasm.
To Mr. Wheaton's distinctly literary tastes, is, in part,
to be attributed the establishment, by the Sunday
School teachers, of a parish library, the year after his
coming to Christ Church. Between All Saints' and
St. Andrew's Day, 1843, a list of subscribers was ob-
tained, who agreed to pay twenty-five cents a month for
"the benefits of a Library of Church books, devotional
175
The Records of Christ Church
practical, and doctrinal," three hundred and twenty-six
volumes constituting the library when it opened. Mr.
Wheaton, James Emott, Jr., and John Grubb were ap-
pointed a library committee, and R. North, secretary.
The original subscribers were:
A. Cliristopher Appleton; E. C.Arnold.
B. Caroline F. Barrett; Elijah Park Benjamin; Dr. Jacob
Bockee; Virgil D. Bonesteel.
C. John F. Coxhead; Corneha B. Crooke; Mary H. Crooke;
Frederic Cunningham.
D. Alice Davies; Sarah Davies; Mrs. Thomas L. Da vies;
Christina L. DePew; Le Grand Dodge; Eliza De Witt
Dutton.
E. James Emott; James Emott, Jr.
F. Mary Louisa Finlay; Sarah Finlay; James H. Fonda;
John Fonda; Wilham Fonda; Elizabeth French,
G. John Grubb.
H. Louisa P. Holthuysen; Mary C. Holthuysen.
J. The Rev. Hiram Jelliff.
K Alice A. KniU.
M. William P. Maison; Harriet A. Myers.
N. Isaac BurhansNewcomb; R. North.
P. Robert Palmer; Isaac Piatt.
R. F. W. Ritter; Charles H. Ruggles.
S.'^ William I. Street; Sarah A. Strouts; Amelia Stuart;
Julia Stuart; Mary Stuart.
T. Olivia Thomas; Theodore Trivett.
V. George M. Van Kleeck.
W. Isaac S. Wheaton; John H. Wood; Maria WoodruflF;
John Worrall.
In 1845 Mr. Wheaton had the church building ex-
tensively repaired and some additions made to its fur-
nishings. Memoranda relating to accounts, from Octo-
ber, 1844, to October, 1845, show that $626.00 was spent
176
The Records ojChrist Church
for mason work and painting, and that the marble font,
still in use in the church, was "procured by the Ladies of
the Parish at a cost of about $120 . 00." In the new font
may be seen a suggestion of the emphasis laid by Mr.
Wheaton upon the sacraments, as also in the gift "by
one individual," at this same time, of "a Communion
Table and appropriate books^ at a cost of over $30.00."
To this same year are to be assigned the three chandeliers,
composed of circles of prism pendants, which hung in the
old church so long as that was occupied. Mr. Wheaton,
Mr. Charles Crooke and the latter's sister, Mrs. Elijah
Park Benjamin, were the committee which went to New
York one warm summer day to buy them. When the
present church was built, one of these chandehers was
hung in the study, made up from the original three,
many prisms having been broken in the transfer from the
old church to the new.
It is in 1845, in a bill for minor repairs, which is still on
file, that the item is found, "Gilding dove, $3.00."
And thus, in the clear light of documentary evidence,
stands out our mysterious parochial possession, a life-size
dove, of wood, gilded. The writer has had the privilege
of consulting seven persons, born between 1825 and 1835,
who have said that this dove was one of their earliest
recollections in Christ Church, perched, as it was, upon
the top of one of the Gothic arches of the screen behind
the pulpit. Old enough in 1845 to need repairing, it
may be, perhaps, that it was in Dr. Reed's mind, when,
in his farewell sermon in February, 1845, he said,
1 These books were used until 1889, and were then given by Dr.
Ziegenfuss to Mrs. Horace Sague, in whose possession they now are.
They are marked as having been presented to the Church by Mrs.
Thomas L. Da vies.
177
The Records ofChrist Church
*' Peace is the dove of the Holy Ghost, and perched above
God's mercy seat, she extends her wings over the man-
sions of the Angels and the Seraphs."
Six of the seven persons, with whose childhood mem-
ories the dove was associated, never heard how it came
into the possession of the parish. The seventh had a
shadowy, uncertain impression of hearing that it "came
from Fishkill." If this were true, when and why did
Fishkill give it? Was it so far back as 1797, when the
glebe difficulties of the Fishkill and Poughkeepsie con-
THE GILDED DOVE
gregations were settled amid such peace and good- will?
Or, was it when the two Churches parted company in
1810, and ceased to call a Rector jointly?
If this vague recollection were mistaken, then there
must be taken into consideration what is, at the least, a
marked coincidence, between this dove and the seal
which the Corporation of Christ Church adopted in 1789.
How is it that the seal bears a dove, flying with an oUve
branch to the ark, and that we, from such an early date,
have owned this wooden dove, in the beak of which it
was long customary, in the old church, to place a fresh
sprig of green when the Christmas decorations were in
progress?
178
THE STUDY
From a photograph taken in 1910
The Records ojChrist Church
It is impossible not to feel that, in the symbolism of the
seal and the dove, combined with the keynote sounded
in Dr. Reed's farewell sermon, Christ Church inherits a
beautiful watchword, the preservation and perpetuation
of which the present generation owes to the future. The
parish has passed through stormy seasons, and will
inevitably encounter dangers and difficulties in days
to come, but the message is here bequeathed to us from
the past that through them all we shall come safely,
when we apply as their solvent the spirit of peace and
hope typified in the seal and the dove.
From September, 1844, to September, 1851, annual
reports of all gifts and offerings made by Christ Church
were recorded, which are interesting because of the de-
tailed evidence they contain that the parish was support-
ing home missions and educational work more than for-
eign missions. Between the dates mentioned, a total of
$5,114.82 was raised for special objects, and the follow-
ing table enumerates some of those, and shows which
attracted the largest contributions:
$800.00 Alms and Sunday School
770.53 Domestic Missions
626 . 00 Repairs to the church building
422.00 Diocesan Missions
368.19 Bible and Common Prayer Book Society
312.00 Foreign Missions
261 . 26 Poor of the Parish
249 . 00 Poor Parishes Abroad
101 . 27 Aged and Infirm Clergy
89.21 Theological Education Fund
87.50 Sunday School Union
62.34 Tract Society
52.25 Diocesan Fund
59 . 00 Mission to Seamen
40 . 00 Theological Seminary
179
The Records of Christ Church
The report made in October, 1845, contains this clause:
"Last June a Parochial School for the free instruction of
young girls was established by some of the Ladies of the
Parish which gives promise of great usefulness."
How much Mr. Wheaton may have had to do with the
inception of this school it is impossible to say, but its
history is indissolubly associated with Mrs. Thomas L.
Davies.
The only daughter of Dr. Reed, Jane C. E. Reed, was
in 1826 married to the elder son of William Davies, the
warden of the parish. Thomas L. Davies, her husband,
was one of the leading residents of Poughkeepsie. A
gentleman of the old school, a Churchman by birth and
conviction, he was, for many years, vestryman and
warden, treasurer of the Corporation and a generous
contributor to the support of the parish. But Mrs.
Davies was (if such a thing were possible) even more
devoted to Christ Church than he. She was a woman of
commanding characteristics, and, having inherited from
her father a love for this parish and Churchmanship of a
pronounced type, she was an influence deeply felt in all
that concerned Christ Church.
In her social relations she has been described as the
Mrs. Astor of Poughkeepsie, which sufficiently indicates
her relative position in the place, a position occupied by
no one person before or since her day. Her appearance
in the grande dame stage of her later years has been
vividly pictured to the writer, as she rode in dignity in a
capacious family coach, broad of build, wearing a scoop
bonnet, puffs at her temples, a thread lace veil falling in
long full folds over her face, and her hand in the swinging
window-loop that was covered with tan brocatelle.
The Parish School was managed by the Rector, a
180
THE PARISH SCHOOL BUILDING
Corner Market and Pine Streets
The Gift in 1857 of William A. Davies
"*-«■
The Records of Christ Church
vestry committee and a board of visitors composed of
ladies of the parish, but Mrs. Davies's interest in it was
the moving power behind them all, and for many years
she made it her chief charge.
As started, the school was for girls only, but after-
ward a boys' department was added. From 1845 to
1858 the sessions were held in the basement of the church,
but, on December 7th, 1857,^ Mr. William A. Davies and
his wife conveyed to the Corporation of Christ Church a
lot and building on the corner of Market and Pine streets.
The deed recites that the consideration was "$1.00, and
a desire to promote the interests of the Protestant
Episcopal Church," and that the building, thus presented,
had been erected and furnished by Mr. Davies, "for the
use of the Parish Schools connected, or to be connected,
with Christ Church, and in which, among other things,
the peculiar faith and worship of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in the United States of America shall daily
be inculcated."
The school was conducted in this building from 1858
until 1884,2 when it was discontinued, and the building
stood vacant until leased to the Quincy School in 1885.
May 3d, 1888, the vestry of Christ Church resolved,
"that, with the approval of Mr. William A. Davies, the
Parish School property, donated by him to the Church,
be sold, and the proceeds be used for building a Sunday
School room back of the new church, the building when
finished to be known as the Davies Memorial." A sale
to the Quincy School Corporation was effected, and, on
October 3d, 1888, $4,500.00 was received by the treas-
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 110, p. 300.
2 Parochial Reports, Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of
New York, 1858-1884.
181
The Records ofChrist Church
urer of the Church in payment for the property, which
money was appHed, in accordance with the vestry resolu-
tion, to the cost of the present "Davies Memorial Parish
School House."
The Parish School received one other large individual
gift, that of Mrs. John D. Robinson, who bequeathed by
will to the Corporation of Christ Church $4,000.00, the
income from which was to be used for the maintenance
of the school.
Mrs. Thomas L. Davies's desire, originally, was that all
classes of children should be included in the school, and
that it should be a powerful factor toward the upbuilding
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, but it was found
impossible to induce well-to-do parents to send their
children to it, and it resolved itself into a philanthropic
work only. The children wore a uniform, and their
garments and shoes were almost entirely supplied by
Christ Church. They received a general elementary
grounding, which was overlaid by instruction in religious
and ecclesiastical matters.
As a feeder to the Protestant Episcopal Church the
school was without result. The free clothing and free
tuition brought to it large numbers of needy children,
but these same children when they outgrew school age
quickly drifted away from the parish. They and their
descendants still frequently look to Christ Church for
the occasional ministrations of baptism, marriage and
burial, but, with very few exceptions, they have become
part of the great non-Church-going mass of this genera-
tion.
The Parish School exhibits a more fortunate aspect as
a retroactive agent. It was the equivalent, for its time,
of modern institutional work, and afforded the parishion-
182
THE DAVIES MEMORIAL PARISH SCHOOL HOUSE
Erected 1889
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The Records oj Christ Church
ers of Clirist Church opportunity for the expression of
the spirit of Christian helpfuhiess.
The social and economic conditions of the period were
radically different from those of today, and were such as
to make the Church a large factor in the lives of its
members, there being fewer outside demands and
interests to compete with it.
In Poughkeepsie, after the Improvement boom of the
thirties. Main street ceased to be a combined business
and residence street. Here and there, at scattered
points in the town, occasional substantial dwellings were
built, but the compacted residence quarter was Mill
street, which became the scene of a network of the ties
of blood and friendship. Some unconscious bias toward
city development placed the houses close to the sidewalk,
but the deep rear lots were full of fruit trees and garden
vegetables, and bright with flowers which were tended by
their owners' hands.
Deeper rooted family life, and many inter-relation-
ships, created a family esprit de corps in the town.
Articles that now pour forth from factories were slowly
and laboriously made by hand, household duties were
numerous, and there was little travel. Recreation was
found in the interchange of simple entertainment;
mid-day dinner was the universal rule, and the canonical,
two-course "party supper" consisted of fried oysters and
chicken salad, syllabub and homemade cake and pre-
serves in variety. A great deal of solid reading was done;
people were familiar with standard novels, history and
biography, little trash finding its way into print. There
was not much extreme poverty; but the poorer people
were personally known to those in better estate, and most
families had their particular pensioners, whose needs
183
The Records ofChrist Church
they watched over; out of which relations grew life-long
attachments and allegiances.
Thus it was natural that the Church should be, not
only the expression of an interest in spiritual things, but
an intellectual and social center. By the time Dr. Reed
died he had baptized a second generation, and it was this
second generation of Churchmen which gave strength and
and character to the parish at the time we are consider-
ing. By inheritance the Church was dear to them, and
their environment enhanced its influence. They were
held to it by none of the more recent developments which
now serve to attract some; the Prayer Book service and
their own well defined sense of the place of religion in the
world sufficed to fix it in their hearts and minds.
A great deal of parish visiting was done; partly in
behalf of the Parish School, but also among the old and
sick and those in want. Among the many faithful
workers in this field, one stands pre-eminent in the
recollections of persons, now living, who were familiar
with those days ; to them the name of Lydia Ingraham
Phinney suggests holy living. A woman of true consecra-
tion, she gave her whole life to the service of God in this
parish, and was a deaconess all but in vow and title. At
her death in 1879 Dr. Edward H. Parker, then a vestry-
man, wrote some fines which have been widely quoted
(and which have had a strange literary history), and,
in 1893, Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Robert E. Taylor proposed
that a memorial of Miss Phinney should be made,
which proposition took form in a bronze cross, affixed to
the wall of the south transept of the new church. The
cross is carved in relief in passion flowers, and is as chaste
and exquisite as the spirit of the woman it commemorates.
Dr. Parker's fines were:
184
The Records of Christ Church
"There Remaineth Therefore A Rest
To The People Of God."
Life's race well run,
Life's work all done.
Life's victory won;
Now Cometh rest.
/
Sorrows are o'er.
Trials no more.
Ship reacheth shore;
Now Cometh rest.
Faith yields to sight.
Day follows night,
Jesus gives hght;
Now Cometh rest.
We a while wait.
But, soon or late.
Death opes the gate;
Then Cometh rest..
In this middle era of the history of Christ Church the
Davies family was identified, not only with the Parish
School, but with all other parochial interests. Approxi-
mately, from the erection of the second church building
in 1834 (to which William Davies was the largest con-
tributor), to the death of Thomas L. Davies in 1880, its
members all were active workers and generous contribu-
tors in and to the parish, and it is a pleasure to declare
here a due appreciation of the benefits thus received.
No one family has ever done more in Poughkeepsie for
the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a permanent wit-
ness to their devotion to it, and of their desire for its
extension, is the Church of the Holy Comforter. This
was erected by William A. Davies in memory of his wife
(Sarah Van Wagenen Davies, deceased 1858), on land
185
The Records ofChrist Church
given jointly by him and his brother, Thomas L. Davies,
and was largely furnished and equipped by them and
members of their family.
The organization of this new parish was effected in
1859. Prior to that, it was recognized in Christ Church
that there was need for Church services among people
living down town, near the river, at inconvenient dis-
tance either from Christ or St. Paul's Church, and, in
January, 1859, a room on lower Main street was rented,
in which the Rev. Dr. Samuel Buel officiated on Sunday
evenings until June. The congregations were of such
promising numbers that, on May 10th, the incorporation
of a board of trustees took place. These original
triTstees for the Church of the Holy Comforter were the
Rev. Dr. Buel and Messrs. Thomas L. Davies, William
A. Davies, Robert E. Coxe, John W. VanWagenen,
George Cornwell and Benjamin R. Tenney, all commu-
nicants of Christ Church. The half century of exist-
ence of the Church of the Holy Comforter has been
distinguished by the forty years' rectorate of the Rev.
Dr. Robert F. Crary, and reference by the mother
parish to the founding of the daughter would be incom-
plete without a tribute to his unselfish and untiring
labors.
Contemporaneous with the Parish School and the es-
tablishment of the Holy Comforter, were two large
schools for girls in Poughkeepsie, under Protestant Epis-
copal auspices.
The Rev. Dr. D. Grosvenor Wright conducted the
Poughkeepsie Female Academy from 1859 to 1886,
where large numbers of girls received a thorough academ-
ic education. The boarding pupils filled several pews
in Christ Church all those years, and Dr. Wright and his
186
The Records of Christ Church
own family were devout communicants in the parish,
maintaining their close ties with it after the Academy
closed.
Cottage Hill Seminary, from 1860 to 1873, under
the Rev. Dr. George T. Rider, had the characteristics of
a present-day, fashionable, finishing school. It was
distinctly a Church school, and daily services, courses in
Church history and the study of the Prayer Book were
part of the curriculum. In place of the usual commence-
ment, an annual choral service was the custom, held in
Christ Church in June. The music was rendered entire-
ly by the girls, who practised for it all the year, the church
was profusely decorated with flowers and filled with the
friends of the pupils, and addresses were delivered by
such well known clergy as Bishop Horatio Potter, Dr.
Morgan Dix, Dr. Henry C. Potter and Dr. William R.
Huntington.
The founding of St. Barnabas's Hospital in 1871 was
still another interesting expression of the spirit of its
time. The hospital was the first in Poughkeepsie, and
was established and maintained by members of the three
parishes of the Episcopal Church. The board of trus-
tees, consisting of the three Rectors and representative
laity from each congregation, conducted St. Barnabas's
until 1887, when Vassar Brothers' Hospital was opened.
The income from the endowment was used from 1887 to
1909 for relief among the sick poor, and, since January,
1909, it has provided the services of a trained nurse, who
makes house-to-house professional calls, where illness
and want occasion their need. Episcopalians in Pough-
keepsie have a right to some pride in the fact that they
were first in the local field of hospital work, and it is
cause for rejoicing that a continuous record of beneficent
187
The Records of Christ Church
accomplishment belongs to the administration of the
fund they created.
In more intimately parochial matters many changes
and developments took place between 1845 and 1875,
the extent of which is more fully evident when conditions
at the beginning of this time are contrasted with those at
its close. Minute details of the church and Sunday
School have been supplied by Miss Elizabeth Shepherd
of New York City, her reminiscences relating to the time
of Mr. Wheaton's work in the parish (1842-1847).
Miss Shepherd's family came to Poughkeepsie in 1833,
when she was a young child, and removed to New York
City in 1847, but her affection for her mother parish is as
fresh as in her girlhood, and it may not be malapropos to
add, as a bit of inner history, that it was she, who, in 1900,
suggested to the vestry committee on calling a Rector to
Christ Church that they consider the Curate of the
Church she attended in New York City, her suggestion
resulting in the call to the present Rector.
Replying to a request for information about the parish,
as she recalled it in her youth. Miss Shepherd wrote:
"As soon as I received your letter I began to remi-
nisce! My recollections of my early Church life in
Poughkeepsie are very pleasant, and I write them as
I remember them, though so long ago, and being so
young at the time. Dr. Reed I remember, but
indistinctly. He always lived in Cannon street in
my day. I attended his funeral; the remains were
carried from the church on a bier to the 'English
burying ground,' and the pall bearers wore white
linen scarfs, tied on the left side, with black ribbon
(or crepe) fastened on the right shoulder, and black
gloves; we followed on foot. The Sunday School
188
The Records of Chris t Church
children wore a black band on one arm for a period
of time, according to the custom of Enghsh Churches
in those days.
"Mr. Wheaton was the one that remains indelibly
impressed on my memory; he was a clergyman after
my own heart, and was the Teacher that taught me
all I knew about the Church.
"My first recollection of going to church is the
dove with the olive branch in its mouth. I do not
remember its being perched, I thought it was sus-
pended as in the act of flying. I never heard how it
came to be placed there.
"Our Church service was not like the present day;
there was no Hymnal, only a few hymns and psalms
in the back of the Prayer Book. The Gloria in
Excelsis was sung in the morning. The Magnificat
and Nunc Dimittis were not used, and were not in
the Prayer Book.
"The Communion Table stood in the middle,
before the reading-desk, and the reading-desk in
front of the high pulpit; the Table was a perfectly
plain wooden one, without a cover; usually two
silver plates for the collection' were on it. The
Communion service consisted of a 'pitcher' and two
* Communion cups,' supposedly of silver. No offer-
ing was taken up, except the first Sunday in the
month, or Communion Sunday. My mother always
took her shilling or sixpence on those Sundays.
Offerings did not run up into the thousands in
those days; there was not need of it, for there
were no poor in the Church, although several pews
in the back of the church were reserved for that
class. I remember the two chairs in the chancel,
189
The Records ojChrist Church
as you describe them, but I do not know who gave
them.
"The seats in the body of the church were high. A
few of the wealthy had their pews lined with moreen,
studded with brass-headed nails; all pews had
cushions, but no kneeling benches; people bent
their heads in prayer, and rested them on an inclined
plane ; there was a similar plane for feet, if one tired
of swinging them in the air. Some few pews had a
plate on the door, with the owner's name; all pews
had doors that fastened with buttons; all carpeted
pews. The vestibules were uncarpeted, and the bell
rope hung from the middle of the ceiling in the tower
entrance, and, if the sexton was ringing the bell, we
had to circle around him to enter the church.
"Sunday School was at nine o'clock in the morning;
service at ten o'clock; afternoon catechising at one
o'clock before the Communion-rail; service at three
P. M.; again at seven P. M., the church being
lighted with oil lamps until the new chandeliers
came. It was a custom on Sundays, after the after-
noon service, to visit the burying-ground, walk
about, and meet the same people we had seen during
the day. I often wonder how we had time to do so
much in our Sunday. Now, one service is exhaust-
ing. My mother and the people at that time
called the Church 'the English Church,' and the
burying-ground ' the English burying-ground.'
"Dr. Reed and Mr. Wheaton both acted as super-
intendent of the Sunday School. The school was so
small it did not need much superintendence till Mr.
Wheaton became Rector, then there was a change,
and children began to pour in. The early superin-
190
The Records of Chris t Church
tendents— Mr. Van Vliet and Mr. Jelliff^— I re-
member perfectly; but Mr. James Emott I believe
was the best, and the last I remember. He was the
son of Judge Emott. He was there in the capacity
of superintendent when we came to New York.
The Sunday School was not well conducted until
Mr. Wheaton came.
"The school was first held in the cellar of the
church, the entrance to which was on the south
side, in Church street. It was very dark and
musty, poorly lighted by two windows on the side
of the entrance. The earth had broken through on
the north side, and some benches, not in use, were
backed up against the break, but that did not
keep the soil out. Only a few benches were needed
for the school; they were well in front on account
of the light. There was a small pulpit; and a
hanging closet called a library, with a few religious
books, such as Lives of the Bishops, Shepherd of
Salishunj Plain, Vicar of Wakefield, Dairyman's
Daughter and Hannah More's works, beside many
books of sermons. Dr. Reed had Wednesday
evening service there with lecture. The room
was lighted with oil lamps — bad odor — seats so
high that my feet never touched the floor in
sitting.
"Mr. Wheaton had the school removed to the
galleries of the church. In the galleries were pews
for the colored members of the Church, consisting of
a long seat so enclosed that only heads were visible.
1 A non-parochial clergyman, who, for some years, was Principal
of a school for boys, which he kept m the house on North Clover street
later occupied by William Davies, and now by the Sisters of Charity.
191
The Records ojChrist Church
Miss Booth,^ with her pupils, sat in the gallery on
the south side, the College HilP boys on the north
side; the organ and choir were in the west gallery.
"Mr. Abel Gunn was the only organist I ever knew
in Poughkeepsie, and there was a very small organ
with a man, or boy, to blow the bellows. The choir
was a volunteer chorus. Mr. Van Vliet was the
leader, and the only one in my day. The choir were
curtained off, the curtains being drawn when they
rose to sing. On special occasions the ladies remov-
ed their hats, and appeared with wreaths of artificial
flowers on their heads. One occasion was Christ-
mas Eve, when the church was decorated with ever-
greens and suitable Scriptural mottoes, and when
there was extra singing of course. 'While Shepherds
watched their Flocks by Night' was never omitted.
I thought it all beautiful."
Miss Shepherd's testimony regarding Mr. Wheaton's
revival of the Sunday School can be supplemented by a
petition of June 1st, 1843, which was sent to the vestry
by a committee composed of James Emott, Jr., James H.
Fonda and Theodore Trivett. The committee described
the inadequate size of the lecture-room and its lack of
light; there were only thirty -seven pews to accommodate
one hundred and sixty pupils and twenty-eight teachers;
beside whom there were the Rev. Mr. Jelliff, the super-
intendent, a register and two librarians; the commit-
tee stated that for six months the school had been in-
1 Miss Lydia Booth; she was Principal of Cottage Hill Seminary,
which was founded about 1836.
2 A detachment of students from College Hill School (founded
1836), now become Riverview Military Academy, has continued, since
this early time, to attend Christ Church.
102
The Records ojChrist Church
creasing so fast that only standing room was then left.
Further, they felt that the vestry might be willing to do
something to relieve the situation, inasmuch as, hitherto,
the school had been not only self-supporting, but, by its
contributions the previous winter, averaging five dollars
a month, had helped clothe poor children in the parish.
This petition of 1843 was without result then, and Mr.
Wheaton utilized the galleries of the church as a solution
of the difficulty. But, in 1848, the matter was taken up,
and a chapel, or Sunday School room, was erected across
the east end of the church. It was a brick building, with
brown stone trimmings, and was about sixty feet north
and south, by twenty-five east and west. Entrance was
at the north end into a vestibule, at the right of which
was a small vestry connecting with the church. A
subscription in behalf of this building was circulated in
September, 1848, and the following signatures obtained :
Isaac I. Balding . .
$ 10.00
J.H.Fonda . . .
$ 10.00
Richard Bayley . . .
10.00
G. R. Gaylord . . .
5.00
Eliza Brewster . . .
100.00
Mr. Gillender . . .
5.00
Mr. Buttolph . . . .
5.00
William Hunt . . .
5.00
Mr. Campbell . . .
2.50
Mrs. Sarah James
. 10.00
Cooper & Hughson .
10.00
Mrs. E. NichoUs . .
10.00
Mrs. Culver . . .
10.00
R. North
5.00
William Davies . .
400.00
Charles H. Ruggles .
30.00
Thomas L. Davies .
. 100.00
Mr. Street ....
5.00
Wilham A. Davies
100.00
(J. R. ?) Stuyvesant .
. 10.00
Richard D. Davis
30.00
Dr. T. ( .? ) . . .
10.00
Mrs. Dickenson . .
2.00
EliasTrivett . . .
. 10.00
LeGrand Dodge . .
5.00
Samuel M. Valentine
10.00
Samuel B. Dutton
2.00
George M. Van Kleeck
5.00
James Emott, Jr. . .
. 25.00
Hubert Van Wagenen
. 1 • 1 •! T •
. 100.00
1 't r\r\r\
The Sunday School met in this building until 1888,
when the property on Market street was sold.
No written records of the school have been discovered,
193
The Records ojChrist Church
and we are dependent upon the personal recollections of
the older members of the congregation for any knowledge
of it. Mr. Benjamin C. Van Vliet is the earliest super-
intendent remembered. Beside him, are mentioned the
Rev. Hiram Jelliff, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Daniel, James
Emott, Jr., and Robert Palmer. As nearly as can be
determined. Dr. Buel acted as superintendent through
the greater part of his rectorate (1847-1866), as did Dr.
Cady also (1866-1874)-. Dr. Cady directed the educa-
tional and catechetical work of the school, assisted by
laymen who bore the title of superintendent, but whose
duties were those of a secretary. The succession of
superintendents in his time was: Mr. Benjamin R.
Tenney and Mr. Joseph G. Frost, who, each, served a
year or two, and then Mr. George M. Van Kleeck. The
latter filled a long term (1870-1883?), outlasting Dr.
Cady's incumbency, and was followed by his son, Mr.
Robert Van Kleeck, after whose resignation, in 1892,
Mr. John K. Sague was for fifteen years the faithful and
interested superintendent. At present, the Rector of the
parish has the oversight of the school.
The lives of George M. Van Kleeck and his son,
Robert, exhibit a striking similarity in their relation to
the Church. Each was a communicant from early man-
hood; a teacher in the Sunday School a^d superintend-
ent; each a vestryman and secretary to the vestry; the
father was also for twenty-three years a warden, and his
son the treasurer of the Corporation. At the death of
Mr. George M. Van Kleeck in 1883, the vestry recorded
their appreciation of the manner in which, "unobtru-
sively, quietly, earnestly, he has served the parish as
vestryman and warden for more than thirty years, with
a diligence and devotion that have made him dear to all."
194
T.r' .Win .t:tttma8 ,wdii aoT
J
THE REV. SAMUEL BUEL, S.T.D.
Rector of Christ Church, 1847-1866
From a photograph taken in 1864
The Records ojChrist Church
These words fitly describe the qualities of both men, than
whom Christ Church has had no more unselfish, loyal
members. The Te Deum window in the north transept
of the present church is a memorial to George M. Van
Kleeck and his brother, Edgar, and in the south transept
a window has been put in, in memory of Robert Van
Kleeck.
Following the addition of the Sunday School room,
miscellaneous improvements to the church edifice were
its lighting by gas in 1851, the frescoing of the walls and
alteration of the pews in 1854, changes in the heating
arrangements in 1857, the reseating, painting and
graining of the galleries in 1867, and, in 1873, the purchase
of a new bell. It will be remembered that the first bell
owned by the Church was bought in 1790. In 1837 that
was replaced by one weighing 1001 pounds, and costing
$363.24, which was obtained from Holbrook and Ware,
of Medway, Mass. This second bell cracked in 1873,
and another was procured from Meneely and Kimberly,
of Troy, New York, which weighed 1215 pounds, and for
which was paid the old bell and $279 . 86 in cash. This
third and last bell was first rung at Easter, 1873, and was
sold when the new church was opened, since when a bell
has not been used.
The most significant step taken, however, was the
radical change that was made in the chancel, a change
which directly reflected the general drift of the thought
of that day. The screen was taken down, the dove put
upon the organ in the west gallery, a window was cut in
the east wall, the high pulpit vanished, and the Commu-
nion Table was set back as an Altar beneath the new
stained glass window. A new oak pulpit was put in
(which remained in use until Easter, 1906) and placed on
195
The Records of C hr i s t Church
the south side of the chancel, the reading-desk being on
the north side.
For a number of years two mahogany chairs had stood
inside the chancel-rail, on either side of the high pulpit.
In their place, Mrs. Thomas L. Davies now gave two
large oak arm chairs, carved in ecclesiastical design, and
upholstered in red velvet, which were only superseded in
1906, when one of them was presented to St. Paul's
Church, Pleasant Valley, and the other, with the oak
pulpit, to St. James's, Dover Plain^, New York.
By tradition, the old mahogany chairs were the gift
either of Dr. Reed or of Mr. Wilham Davies. They
belong in design to the Chippendale period, and follow,
in the detail of their carving (an urn in the center of the
back), a model which was introduced by cabinetmakers
at Hartford, Connecticut, in the last quarter of the eight-
eenth century. They are primarily parlor chairs, and
are supposed to have been taken from the house of Dr.
Reed or of Mr. Davies to the church; in which case
they are probably much older than their age as parish
property. When displaced by the new oak chairs they
fell upon evil times, were crudely painted by some vandal,
and given hard usage in the Sunday School room until
rescued and restored by Dr. Ziegenfuss. For some years
they were again in the chancel, but, about 1904, they
were invalided to the study, where, once more done over,
they have now renewed their youth.
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Buel became Rector of Christ
Church, September 15th, 1847, and the rearrangement of
the chancel was effected in the summer of 1854 under his
direction. It was not accomphshed without doubts and
misgivings on the part of some as to the wisdom of the
action. One vestryman, in favor of the new position of
196
INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH ERECTED IN 1834
From a photograph taken in 1886
The Records ofChrist Church
the Holy Table, saw another (who was a pronounced
Low Churchman) with his hands upon his knees, bending
and turning to find whether there was a space between
the wall and the Table which would preserve its character
as a Table, and prevent its being regarded as an Altar.
A properly designed oak bracket, which Dr. Buel had
had made and put in place as a credence-table, the vestry
by formal resolution, ordered removed, and no credence-
table was used in the parish until 1888, when the present
church was built.
Very shortly after the chancel was changed in 1854,
Dr. Buel departed from the custom of his predecessors of
removing his surplice before the sermon and preaching
in a black gown. The gown is essentially an academic
robe, the wearer of which may, or may not, bean
ecclesiastic as well, and the old idea of the Episcopal
ministry in wearing it in the pulpit was to emphasize
their teaching function, as distinct from the priestly, or
sacramental, side of their office. As a general custom
its use was abandoned in the Episcopal Church about
1865-1870,1 and Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, was there-
fore one of the earliest parishes to adopt the use of the
surplice in the pulpit. Dr. Buel made the change about
1856, up to which year the Hon. James Emott, 2d, was a
member of the parish, and Judge Emott is known to have
objected to the innovation. The surplice is an ancient
ecclesiastical vestment, and had always been used in the
1 Correspondence, 1910; testimony of the Rev. Dr. W. J. Sea-
bury of the General Theological Seminary; in 1866 Dr. Seabury
became Assistant to his father, the Rector of the Church of the
Annunciation, New York City; the Aimunciation was considered one of
the most "advanced" parishes in New York, and in it the surpUce was
first used during the sermon in 1864.
197
The Records ojChrist Church
American Church for all parts of the service except the
sermon; in early years in this country it was very full and
long, and cut open down the front to allow the passage of
the enormous wigs of the wearers. After wigs were no
longer to be considered, and the influence of the Oxford
Movement was felt, the front was made whole and
sacred emblems began to be embroidered on the breast.
Its use throughout the whole service was part of the
stress then being laid upon the sacraments, and upon the
Apostolic Orders of the ministry.
In 1850, a record of sundry disbursements in Christ
Church contains the entry "Stoles for Surplices," but
this may not refer to what we now know as a stole. A
straight, unshaped and unfringed strip, called a scarf,
was early part of the academic vesture, and went with
the gown, as did the bands; it was so used in the Ameri-
can Church, and sometimes incorrectly referred to as a
stole. But the stole, proper, is a shaped piece, narrower
in the center and wider at the ends, and fringed, which
was worn by the clergy at the celebration of the Commu-
nion in the primitive days of the Christian Church, and to
which, later, came to be attached the symbolic meaning
of "the yoke of Christ.'" Its use lapsed in England in
the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and so,
naturally, it was at first disregarded in this country.
Its restoration followed in the wake of the Oxford
Movement, and is but another instance of the changes
which took place in the Episcopal Church at the time,
when many of the now familiar details of its administra-
tion were new in America (though old in history), and
when its services acquired a warmth and beauty they
1 The Ritual Reason Why, p. 21; (Charles Walker, London,
1866).
198
The Records of Christ Church
before had lacked. Whether Dr. Buel wore a scarf or a
stole is not known, but Dr. Cady, his successor, began to
wear a stole in 1860, and continued to do so after coming
to Poughkeepsie in 1866. From Dr. Cady's incumbency
is to be dated the weekly celebration of the Holy Com-
munion in Christ Church. He began such services in
Lent, 1867, knowing, when he did so, that, outside of
New York City, not another parish along the waters of
the Hudson had instituted the custom. Dr. Cady im-
ported from England, for use in Christ Church, sheer and
delicate chalice veils, trimmed with lace, and embroidered
by the Sisters, and he conducted the service in careful
accordance with the Prayer Book. In order to conform
to the rubric that prescribes the point at which the un-
consecrated elements are to be placed upon the Altar,
Dr. Cady used the deep ledge of the window in the
east wall in lieu of a credence-table, in which custom Dr.
Ziegenfuss followed him.
Only second in importance to the alteration of the
chancel, was the development of the music in Christ
Church between 1860 and 1870. In the Appendix will
be found data showing in detail the evolution of the
colonial office of parish clerk into that of the modern
choirmaster. The charter in 1773 conferred upon the
Rector of the parish power to appoint "a Clerk to assist
him in performing divine service," and from 1773 to
about 1800 the function of the clerk was to lead the
congregation in the responses. By 1802 it would seem
that chanting had begun, for the clerk of that day,
Joseph Parker, was paid for "tuning the Psalm," and, in
1804, his successor, Mr. Knapp, is spoken of as "singing
in the church." The title of chorister is first found
in 1805, and, from that time, the old duties of the clerk
199
The Records of Chr i s t Church
merged imperceptibly with those of the new office which
was in process of creation.
The introduction of chanting or singing occasioned,
without doubt, the purchase which was made of an organ
in 1808, and that, in turn, was followed by the establish-
ment of a singing-school, in which the younger members
of the congregation were given instruction to fit them to
belong to a volunteer choir. Led by a chorister, this
volunteer choir, often very numerous, but its proficiency
varying in degree, continued until 1865, in which year
paid singers were added to it. A few years later a paid
quartet, without a chorus, was instituted, and maintained
until the new church was built in 1888, with the excep-
tion of a short interval (1877-1880) when, from motives
of economy, the vestry voted to return to a volunteer
chorus.
The custom in Christ Church of holding a special
service on Christmas Eve goes back to a very early
date. The service is described as having been considered
by all Poughkeepsie one of the great events of the year,
and the church was always filled to its capacity. Indeed,
this very popularity is assigned as the cause of the dis-
continuation of it in the sixties, when the crowd became
so great that there was no room left for the members of
the regular congregation, and the interest and support of
the latter thus declined.
The Christmas Eve service is associated with the
history of music in the parish because the music was
always made a conspicuous feature of the occasion, and
the testimony of Mr. Ruggles and of Miss Shepherd has
shown how the old hymn, "While Shepherds watched
their Flocks by Night," was sung annually for so long
that it was synonymous, for them, with all that made the
200
The Records ojChrist Church
evening memorable. The use of greens to decorate the
church at Christmas is referred to in 1790,^ and several
elderly people have told the writer of the impression
made upon them by the contrast in color between the
Christmas greens upon the screen behind the pulpit (in
the second church, 1834-1854) and the rich crimson of
the large pulpit cushion and the desk-hangings.
The observance of Christmas in Poughkeepsie was
confined to the Episcopal Church until comparatively
recent years, when some entertainment began to be
provided for the Sunday Schools near the 25th of Decem-
ber, but Christmas Day, itself, is not, even yet, marked
by all Churches with services. Christmas trees for the
Sunday School were first used in America^ by Dr.
Muhlenberg, who founded the Church of the Holy
Communion, New York City, was its Rector 1846-1877,
and inspired its then unique forms of work. Easter
flowers in the chancel were introduced by Dr. Muhlen-
berg, and his vested choir of men and boys led the way
for many others in this country.
It would be impossible, here, to follow the absorbingly
interesting record of Dr. Muhlenberg's life-work, but the
thread of connection between it and our own parochial
history is that he did much to encourage the intelligent
development of Church music, which began in the middle
of the nineteenth century, when the hymnody of the
Church was enlarged and enriched, and the settings for
hymns and chants and anthems improved in quality.
To this movement this parish was responsive, and its
own interest was augmented by that of the pupils and
teachers of Cottage Hill Seminary, many of whom
1 See above, p 97.
2 Tiffany's History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, p. 485.
201
The Records ofChrist Church
belonged to the choir, and by whom Church music was
studied. Among the hymns then new was Faber's
"Hark, Hark, my soul, angelic songs are swelling,"
and one who heard it first in the old church, rendered by
the pure, fresh voices of the Cottage Hill girls, retains
still the force of the impression made by it. This school
also introduced here in 1870^ "Rejoice, ye pure in heart,"
which was written in 1865 by Dean Plumptre for the
choir festival of Peterborough Cathedral. These two
hymns were included in the 1868 edition'^ of Hymns
Ancient and Modern, a collection published in England
in 1861, which at once was popular on this side of the
water, and which prepared the way for our own Hymnal,
that, in 1871, was put forth by the General Convention,
and bound separately from the Prayer Book.
The change in Christ Church from a chorus choir to a
quartet was preceded by the purchase, in 1862, of a new
organ, the fourth the parish had bought. The first it
owned was installed in 1808, as has been seen; the second
was bought in 1821 of Thomas Hall of New York; the
third in 1837 from Holbrook and Ware, of Med way,
Massachusetts (the price paid for it being $1,500.00);
and the fourth from Jardine and Son, of New York, at a
cost of $1,300.00 in cash, and the old organ, which was
valued at $500.00. A subscription was circulated to
raise money for the fourth organ, and $3,063.00 was
collected for that, and for the attendant expenses; the
latter were heavy, as the new instrument was placed in
the southeast corner of the church, instead of in the
west gallery, and the change of location necessitated
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, June 17th, 1870.
2 Dictionary of Hymnology, edited by John JuHan, Vicar of
Wincobank, Sheffield, pp. 486, 897.
202
The Records oj Christ Church
extensive work by masons and carpenters. The names
of the contributors to the organ fund of 1862 afford an
excellent idea of the supporting membership of the parish
then:
A. Joseph E. Allen.
B. Mrs. Susan Ball; the Hon. Joseph F. Barnard; Mrs. Ed-
ward Bech; James Blanchard; Stephen M. Buckingham.
C. S. Cleveland; Ulysses Cole; George Cornwell; Thomas
Coster; Mrs. Charles Crooke.
D. Mrs. Alice Da vies; John W. Davies; Thomas L. Da vies;
Mrs. Thomas L. Davies; William A. Davies; Le Grand
Dodge; Mrs. Le Grand Dodge; J. De Puyster Douw.
E. Joseph East; the Hon. E. Q. Eldridge; Mrs. E. Q. El-
dridge.
G. George R. Gaylord; WUham Gibson.
H. Mrs. John W. Hammersley; Mrs. Elizabeth Hart; Mrs.
Harvey; Mrs. Hillis; Barney Hinckley; Mrs. Barney
Hinckley; Mrs. James Hooker; Mrs. Hulme.
J. Beekman James; Richard James.
K. Mrs. Ahce Knill.
M. Mary Mitchell; Sarah Mitchell.
N. Thomas Newbold; Miss Louisa Nichols; Reuben North.
P. Dr. Edward H. Parker; Miss Lydia I. Phinney; Isaac I.
Piatt.
R. Mrs. Sarah Robinson; Mrs. Rowe.
S. Mrs. Leonard Sackett; Mrs. Stan wis.
T. Mrs. Charlotte Taylor; Benjamin R. Tenney.
V. Edgar M. Van Kleeck; George M. Van Kleeck; Sarah
Van Kleeck; Mrs. Van Vliet; Mrs. Van Wagenen.
W. Mrs. Worrall.
The writer is indebted to Miss Helen J. Andrus for a
knowledge of the relation of Christ Church to the devel-
opment of music in Poughkeepsie in the first half of the
nineteenth century. Miss Andrus has in preparation a
history of music in this city, and from her it is learned
203
The Records oj Christ Church
that the recorded musical annals of the place begin with
the first organ, organist and choristers of this parish.
Following the customs inherited from the mother Church
of England, Christ Church gave encouragement to the
musical portion of its services very early, as compared
with its immediate ecclesiastical neighbors. There re-
mained among the latter vestiges of a racial and political
prejudice against all things English, and from this fact
it resulted that, for many years, "the English Church"
stood alone in the possession of an organ and in the effort
to promote the artistic side of worship.
So far as can be determined, in the absence of positive
documentary evidence, the only organist in Christ
Church, from about 1809 until 1862, was Abel Gunn, a
picturesque character, who began his career as a youth-
ful genius, and ended it as a local institution. His term
of office was such an unprecedentedly long one that, to
judge from an anecdote, describing the manner of its
ending, he came to regard himself as all powerful in his
particular sphere. An inimitable story teller, who has
but just gone from us, sang in her youth in the volunteer
choir, and she used to relate that, from the time of the
arrival of Dr. Buel, as Rector, there was friction between
him and Mr. Gunn. The friction waxed, until, finally,
one Sunday, it culminated. The choir, having finished
the anthem that preceded the sermon, the Rector rose
to give out his text, supposing the organ also to have
stopped; but, as the choir knew, the music had not
entirely died away, and, as Dr. Buel mounted the pulpit,
it burst forth again; he retired and waited until, a
second time, it faded, when again he rose; but again the
organ swelled and rolled. "Three times the music
dwindled down; three times the Rector rose; three
204
TheiRecords of Christ Church
times he had to wait for this voluntary to cease; and
then," (so the story ran), "Abel had to go!"
While the manner in which the organist's irritation
was expressed was not endorsed by his contemporaries,
it was regarded with secret amusement and sympathy,
for the irritation, itself, was well understood. An
account of Dr. Buel's administration would fail in truth-
ful completeness if it ignored the fact that that excellent
man was not temperamentally qualified for success in the
pastoral relation. With all his learning and his
recognized integrity of purpose and earnest application
to duty, which, severally, commanded for him respect
and confidence. Dr. Buel provoked explosions from
otherwise perfectly peaceable parishioners, and this
solely because of his peculiarities of manner and lack of
penetration and adaptability in personal contact with
people. No questions of principle were ever involved,
and these encounters are now so long gone by that their
heat has passed; they can be seen in the light of that
tolerance for all, which is gained by the student of
human nature from observation of the inter-play of
marked personalities.
The withdrawal of James Emott, Jr., from Christ
Church in 1856^ grew out of his and the Rector's in-
compatibility, the climax of which is said to have been
reached when Dr. Buel preached a sermon that was not
suflSciently opposed to slavery for such an Abolitionist
as the second Judge Emott. So brilliant a man as he
is an honor to any parish, and that which was our loss
was the gain of St. Paul's. Dr. Buel's views, before war
actually began, were, possibly, colored a little by his
family ties; his wife was a Southern woman, and her
1 Dr. Buel's communicant list, Parish Register, Vol. 2, p. 438.
20,5
The Records of Christ Church
brother, Richard Hooker Wilmer, who was made
Bishop of Alabama in 1862, was one of the leaders in that
"Church in the Confederacy" which had so brief an
existence.
Another removal to St. Paul's, due to some minor
instance of displeasure, was that of Isaac Piatt, the
veteran editor of The Poughkeepsie Eagle, who was
baptized in his early manhood by Dr. Reed, and was a
faithful communicant of the Episcopal Church all his
life, first in this parish, and, in his late years, in St. Paul's.
But, if a few losses, much regretted, did befall, there
were accessions made that have been elements of strength
for over three score years.
One of the fruits of Mr. Wheaton's ministry has been
the life in this parish of her whom he brought to baptism
and confirmation when she was a girl of fourteen. The
granddaughter of a pre-Revolutionary parishioner, the
great-niece of the donor of the site for the first church
building, Harriet Kelsey Sague became a communicant
in Christ Church in 1844, and, in all the sixty-six years
that have followed, has been unsparing of herself for
the promotion of its welfare. Forty years of district
visiting and the relief of necessity, the rearing of sons
and daughters loyal to the Church— one son now a
warden of the parish,— and the exercise of a strong moral
influence in the community in reform work, is a record
to be held by Christ Church in gratitude and respect.
In January, 1853, our late senior warden, George
Cornwell, was confirmed, and for fifty-seven years was
actively associated with the Church; for fifty years he
was a member of the vestry, for eighteen its secretary,
and for eleven treasurer of the Corporation. Mr.
Cornwell's identification with Christ Church was not
206
The Records oj Christ Church
merely a matter of time and of office holding; it was
marked by constancy and devotion, and by generosity
and unflagging interest. He it was who treasured in his
memory anecdotes of former days, who kept written and
printed memorabilia of the current events of his long
experience, and who was a storehouse of information
regarding the parish for the whole period in which he
was connected with it. His sudden and tragic death, by
accident, occurred just at the close of his fiftieth year in
the vestry, when he was still strong and well and young
at heart. Thus his cheerfulness and love of life, his
humor and his kindliness escaped the usual processes
of age, and the genial quality, with which, in our memory,
he is permanently invested, fills our thought of him with
pleasure, while it made parting from him pain. For the
Church, in losing him, we can only wish that the present
generation may give to it examples of such faithfulness
as his has been.
Le Grand Dodge, baptized and confirmed in 1846,
when Mr. Wheaton was Rector, was one whose name is
held in esteem in Christ Church. Mr. Dodge was a
staunch Churchman, a conservative lawyer and a man
of deep and loyal affections. He was a vestryman from
1854 to 1879, and warden 1880-1891. Always a liberal
contributor to the support of the parish, his gift of the
Altar-rail, when the present church was built, is par-
ticularly associated with him today, while his memory
is still further perpetuated by a carved and jewelled
chalice, presented in 1905 by his grandchildren, the Rev.
George Blackburn Kinkead, 3d, and Miss Cornelia
Dodge Kinkead.
In 1858 Dr. Edward Hazen Parker came to Poughkeep-
sie to practise his profession; he at once entered Christ
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The Records ofChrist Church
Church, where, in 1860, he was elected to the vestry.
He served continuously for thirty-six years, including
his term as warden from 1884 to 1896. Dr. Parker
exemplified a fine type of manhood, combining with a
practical skill as physician and surgeon and a literary
power of no mean degree a refinement of feeling and a
spiritual insight which graced and distinguished him.
As a memorial to him and to his wife, Sarah Olcott
Parker, their two daughters, Miss Helen Choate Parker,
and the late Mrs. Charles M. Niles, gave in 1897 a silver
chalice and paten for the early celebration of the Holy
Communion.
John Grubb, that sterling Scotchman (who, in 1844,
came to "the English Church" for one of its daughters,
and remained in it a long and loyal Hfetime); Hubert
Van Wagenen, retired New York merchant; Eeuben
North, vestryman and treasurer of the Corporation;
Edward K. James, gentleman of leisure of English
paternity; Charles Crooke, whose father and grandfather
before him were members of the parish; Isaac I. Balding,
Benjamin R. Tenney, J. De Puyster Douw, these, all,
were among the many men who came into prominence in
Mr. Wheaton's and Dr. Buel's rectorates. An idea of
the personnel of the congregation in Dr. Cady's day is
gained from a pew chart^ of 1870. The chart records
the aggregate annual rental, at that time, as $5,199.50
and gives the names of the holders of the pews as follows:
A. Simon C, Abel; Joseph E. Allen; Miss Mary Allen.
B. Stephen Baker; Albert Ball; the Hon. Joseph F. Barnard;
Miss Margaret Barnard; Miss Barrett; Guy C. Bayley;
Edward Bech; Andrew Boardman; James Blanchard;
Thomas C. Bradbury; Mrs. P. S. Burchan; Stephen M.
Buckingham.
1 Ledger E, pp. 356-7.
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The Records ojChrist Church
C. Jacob B. Carpenter; William Carpenter; Norris M.
Carter, M.D.; the Rev. Charles N. Chandler; Joseph
Corlies; George Cornwell; Miss Belle Cornwell.
D. Thomas L. Davies; Wilham A. Davies; John W. Davies;
Le Grand Dodge; Joseph C. Doughty;, J. De Puyster
Douw; Samuel B. Dutton.
E. James East; Joseph East; the Hon. E. Q. Eldridge.
F. Alcander Fox ; Mrs. Mary A. French.
G. George R. Gay lord; William Gibson; William M.
Goodrich; John Grubb.
H. William W. Hageman; John F. Halstead; Andrew J.
Hanscom; Benjamin Hall Hart; Miss Hatch; Mrs.
Harvey; Oliver H. Henderson; Barney Hinckley; Mrs.
James Hooker; Charles L. Houghton; Miss Julia
Hughson; Mrs. Mary C. Hulme.
I. Henry Irving.
K. JohnKimlin; William Kimlin; Mrs. Andrew King.
L. Miss Pauline Lalouette.
M. Mrs. Edwin Mabbett; Mrs. Malcomb; Miss Mary T.
Merritt; Mrs. Morgan.
N. The Hon. Homer A. Nelson; Mrs. Sophia P. Newcomb;
Mrs. North; Reuben North.
P. Mrs. Maria Palmer; Edward H. Parker, M.D.; Thomas
Parker; Col. G. W. Patten; Miss Lydia Phinney; Per
Lee Pine, M.D. ; Mrs. Potter.
R. The Rev. George T. Rider; Mrs. John D. Robinson.
S. Leonard B. Sackett; Horace Sague; Frederick Salisbury;
George F. Searle; Edward Storm; Mrs. John R. Stuyves-
ant.
T. Mrs. Tanner; Hudson Taylor; Robert E. Taylor; Benja-
min R.Tenney; the Rev. William B. Thomas; Miss Sarah
Thomas; Miss Elizabeth Thomas; John M. Toucey;
George B. Trowbridge.
V. Edgar Van Kleeck; George M. Van Kleeck; Theodore
VanKleeck; Elizabeth Van Kleeck ; Isaac B. Van Vliet;
John R. Van VUet; John Van Wagenen; Miss Elizabeth
Van Wagenen.
209
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W. The Hon Charles Wheaton; Robert S. WilUams; Archi-
bald WUson; Mrs. Woodin; Frederick Woodruff; Benja-
min Worrall; the Rev. Dr. D. Grosvenor Wright.
About the parish, all through the period we are con-
sidering, there was an alluring, elusive, Anglican atmos-
phere, and it was quite in keeping with this that, from
1842 to 1876, there should have been three English
sextons. Thomas Eastmead, Samuel Keynton and
William Gibson were all born in England, and they give
an added bit of color to our mental picture of their time.
"Billy Gibson" was one of the quaint "characters" of
old Poughkeepsie, and there are many who can call to
mind a vision of his flowing whiskers, high, pointed
shoulders and peculiar gait, his pet Yorkshire terrier
always close at heel. Beside his position as sexton, he
was for many years collector of pew rents in Christ
Church, and was also the distributor of tickets for the
Poughkeepsie Lyceum; that course of lectures was one
of the literary and social features of its time, and largely
attended, and, by these two means, he was known to
every one in the Church and in the town. A black-
smith by trade, and his education that of experience
only, his large hearted good nature, intelligence and
innate worth won him general liking and respect. One
of the windows in the north aisle of the present church
was his gift, and since his death his own name has been
inscribed upon it.
1; Until the new church was opened in 1888 it had not
been the custom to engage a man's whole time as sexton,
and the sextons usually had other interests as well,
which necessitated the occasional employment of extra
helpers. In connection with one such supernumerary,
Dr. Parker's appreciation of things spiritual, caught up
210
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and enshrined in verse an incident which, as part of the
religious life in the old church, is here recorded. The
subject of the lines had not had an exemplary career,
but, in the dusk of a winter afternoon, one, who un-
expectedly entered the Sunday School room, found him
kneeling at a prie-dieu qn the platform in devout and
audible supplication.
The Old Sexton
Service is o'er the people gone.
The aged Sexton is ilone: —
The evening shades are growing deep.
And day is passing to its sleep.
The solemn hush the Sexton feels.
Before the Altar slowly kneels;
And to his God pours out his prayer,
Alone, and where no listeners are.
"Hear me, O Lord! Thy servant hear.
My days are gone, my end is near.
Old and forlorn I turn to Thee,
O! let me still Thy mercy see.
"My sins are many; O! forgive;
Nearer to Thee teach me to live;
Teach me to love, teach me to praise.
And Thine be my remaining days."
The shades have deepened, night has come.
Weary, the Sexton seeks his home.
But in his heart there burns a hght.
That turns to day the darkest night!
Of three special occasions, two in Dr. Buel's rectorate,
one in Dr. Cady's, mention should be made.
The first was the raising of a flag on the tower of the
church, at the opening of the Civil War, soon after the
. 211
The Records oj Christ Church
news was received that Fort Sumter had been fired
upon. That the congregation of Christ Church was
enthusiastic in its support of the Union is illustrated
by the fact that they were the first Church in Pough-
keepsie to fly a flag from their church building; the
formal flag raising took place on May 3d, 1861, and
was followed on May 8th, 12th and 18th by similar
ceremonies at the First Methodist, Presbyterian, First
Dutch and St. Peter's (Roman Catholic) churches,
The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle reporting all these events
in full. The flag and pole for Christ Church were
purchased by subscription (the money for them being
collected by Samuel Keynton in less than an hour),
and the pole was erected on the tower by Horace
Sague, John W. Davies and William Gibson. On the
day following the ceremony the first Poughkeepsie
company of Volunteers (Company E of the 30th New
York, Captain Holliday commanding) left town, and it
was they who are referred to in the following account
published in the Eagle May 4th, 1861:
Flag Raising. — Yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock a
large number of citizens assembled in front of Christ Church
in Market street to witness the raising of a large and splendid
flag on the new flagstaff erected on the tower of the church.
The ceremony was commenced by the singing of the
National Hymn of America by the choir, after which Judge
Emott was invited to address the audience on the raising
of the flag, which duty he performed in an eloquent manner,
the choir then sang the song of the Red, White and Blue,
and the Rev. Samuel Buel, the Rector of the Church, made
a heart stirring address.
The flag was then run up, as the Volunteer company
arrived on the ground, and amid the hearty cheers of the
audience.
The choir then sang the Star Spangled Banner, at the
conclusion of which Mr. Benson J. Lossing made some well
212
The Records ofChrist Church
timed remarks to the Volunteers, who, at the end of his
address gave three hearty cheers and a tiger, when the
assembly dispersed.
At the close of the war, on April 19th, 1865, a few
days after President Lincoln's death, a memorial service
was held for the martyred President, when the church was
draped in black and a funeral oration^ was delivered by
Dr. Buel. The day was generally observed in Pough-
keepsie as one of mourning, business was suspended, and
bells tolled, and there was a procession.
On December 21st, 1866, shortly after Dr. Cady came
to Christ Church, the centennial was celebrated of the
first preaching service of the Rev. John Beardsley as
Rector of this parish. Morning Prayer, sermon by
Bishop Horatio Potter, and the Holy Communion, were
followed by a collation at Pine Hall (the building recent-
ly vacated by the Y. M. C. A.). The newspaper account^
of this occasion says that there was a large attendance
of clergy and laity, that the chancel was elaborately
decorated with flowers and evergreens, and that the
opening hymn was "Jerusalem the Golden," but it fails
to report in full Bishop Potter's historical sermon re-
garding the Episcopal Church in Dutchess County.
This is cause for regret, for, of the early days of Christ
Church, Bishop Horatio Potter was particularly well
equipped to speak, and his centennial address probably
contained local color we should now value.
The Corporation conducted its business affairs without
a definite policy all through this period, and the need of
the moment governed each action taken. One of the
first matters that pressed for attention was the necessity
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, April 19th, I860.
2 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, December 22nd, 1866.
213
The Records ofChrist Church
to provide a house for the Rector. After Dr. Reed's
second marriage in 1834, the Academy street parsonage
had been rented; Mr. Wheaton lived in the frame house
now No. 219 Church street (the property adjoining the
rear of the Cannon street lot of the Y. W. C. A.), and also
boarded at the Rutzer House. When Dr. Buel first
came to Poughkeepsie he occupied the house now No. 62
Washington street, but, on May 1st, 1852, the parsonage
at Academy and Cannon streets was sold for $1,800.00,
and December 8th, 1852, the vestry voted to build a
rectory, the cost of which should not exceed $3,600.00.
Of this amount $2,000.00 was raised by subscription^ and
the balance made up from the proceeds of the sale of the
Academy street house. The site selected was on the
Church property, east of the burying-ground, all the land
east of the present Carroll street, that was acquired by
the Church in 1828, having been considered unsuited
to burial purposes and remaining unimproved for many
years. Lots were sold^ from this tract in 1854, 1873,
1877 and 1880, netting for the Church the sum of $6,466.
00.
In 1869 it was felt that the time was coming when the
church edifice might have to be enlarged, and it was
decided that the property adjoining it to the north
should be purchased. In payment for the same there
was given a mortgage for $8,000.00, partly on the house
itself, and partly on the South Hamilton street rectory
and the vacant lots near that. The house on Market
street was never used, either for the purpose for which
it had been bought, or for a rectory, and was rented
1 Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 59.
2 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds. Liber 100: p. 408;
170: p. 596; 186: p. 314; 203: pp. 588, 195, 197.
214
THE RECTORY
Erected 1853 Sold 1880
Occupied by the Rev. Dr. Buel, the Rev. Dr. Cady
aiid the Rev. Dr. Ziegenfuss
The Records ofChrist Church
while in the possession of the Church; it was sold in 1877
for $6,000.00, the transaction entailing a loss to the
Church of $2,000.00.
Beside the mortgage placed upon the rectory and
vacant lots in 1869, which was for $3,500.00, another, for
the same amount, was added in 1873, to provide funds
to meet accumulated debts and the assessments for open-
ing and grading Carroll street, and laying water and sew-
er pipes all about the burying-ground. April 17th, 1880,
the Corporation sold the rectory to Mrs. P. Frost
Spaulding for $5,000.00, and applied the money to the
payment of all of the first mortgage and part of the
second. After doing so, they were still in debt to the
Savings Bank for $2,060.00,^ and to" meet this the vestry
passed a resolution to sell the last lots on Carroll and
Barclay streets held by the Corporation. This 1880 sale
(before referred to) realized $3,816.50 from a public
auction of the lots.^
The rectory that was built in 1853 was occupied by
Dr. Buel for two-thirds of his rectorate, by Dr. Cady
throughout his entire term of office, and by Dr. Ziegen-
fuss for a few years.
In connection with the incumbency of Dr. Cady, it is
an interesting coincidence that he, the tenth Rector of
the parish, was named for his predecessor (Philander
Chase) the fifth, who, as Bishop of Ohio, was an early
friend of Dr. Cady's family. The tenth administration
of the Rectorship of Christ Church was terminated by
Dr. Cady's breakdown in health, and his resignation
was received with deep and sincere regret. His scholar-
ship had adorned the pulpit, his Churchmanship had had
1 Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 154.
2 Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 156.
215
The Records oj Christ Church
a centralizing, constructive influence, and his culture
and charm of manner had made him a delight to a con-
gregation that was united in its allegiance to him, and
the members of which have ever spoken of him with
praise.
In closing this account of the conditions and events in
Christ Church from 1845 to 1875, a summary should be
added of the growth of the Church in Dutchess County
during the same period.
The organization of the Dutchess Convocation took
place in 1848, the organizing clergy being the Rectors of
St. James's, Hyde Park; Christ Church and St. Paul's,
Poughkeepsie; Zion, Wappingers Falls; St. Peter's,
Lithgow; and St. Anna's, Fishkill Landing (now St.
Luke's, Matteawan).
Convocation placed missionaries in the field, the first
one being the Rev. Sheldon Davis, who labored for
fifteen years with fidelity and success. Laymen were
admitted as members of Convocation in 1856, and in
1868 a Dean was appointed in place of the original
Chairman, whose functions had been fulfilled by the
Rector of the parish wherever the meetings of Convoca-
tion chanced to be held.
The work of the Rev. Sheldon Davis has particular
point for Christ Church because, on Easter Day, 1850,
he held the first service at Manchester Bridge to estab-
lish a mission, and the Manchester Mission has, ever
since, been made its special interest and charge by a
family, which, from the rectorate of Dr. Reed, has
belonged to Christ Church, and which is now repre-
sented in the vestry by William Hall Hart. Descended
from the Rev. Seth Hart, Rector of St. George's, Hemp-
stead, its members inherited his devotion to the Protest-
216
Ha ."^HT
THE REV. PHILANDER K. CADY, S.T.D.
Rector of Christ Chtjbch, 1866-1875
From a photograph taken during his incumbency
The Records ojChrisi Church
ant Episcopal Church, and have wrought unselfishly and
untiringly for its extension and betterment. The Man-
chester Mission, today self-supporting and maintaining
weekly services, has had many friends, but its chiefest
debt for unceasing care and earnest, prayerful effort is
to that indefatigable missionary. Miss Mary Hart,
whose strong faith and whose enthusiasm in the cause of
the Master are to be counted among the spiritual
blessings of Christ Church.
Formal incorporation, or organization, of the following
parishes took place between 1845 and 1875:
1849, St. Thomas's, Amenia Union.i
1852, Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck.2
1859, Church of the Holy Comforter, Poughkeepsie.^
1859, Church of the Regeneration, Pine Plains.^
(i860, St. Stephen's College, Annandale, chartered.)
1864, Grace Church, Hart's Village (Millbrook).^
1867, Christ Church, Red Hook Village.*
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records. Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 177.
2 Ibid., p. 194.
3 Dutchess Coimty Clerk's records, Record of Ineorporations,
Liber 1, serial number 55.
4 Dutchess County Clerk's records, Book of Incorporation of
Churches, p. 223.
5 Ibid., p. 268.
6 Ibid., p. 289.
217
CHAPTER VIII
1875-1910
ORIGIN OF THE BROAD CHURCHMEN. THE REV. DR. HENRY
L. ZIEGENFUSS. CHRIST CHURCH BECOMES A BROAD
CHURCH PARISH. CHANCEL FURNISHINGS. INTRODUC-
TION OF ORGANIZED WORK. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF
PAROCHIAL ORGANIZATIONS. ERECTION OF THE THIRD
CHURCH BUILDING. THE PARISH HOUSE. THE TOWER.
DEATH OF DR. ZIEGENFUSS. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
CHANGES. RECTORATE OF DR. CUMMINS. MRS. CHARLES
H. BUCKINGHAM'S GIFT. THE FUTURE AND THE NEED OF
AN ENDOWMENT.
IN 1875 the Rev. Henry L. Ziegenfuss was made
Rector of Christ Church. When he first came to
Poughkeepsie he was a young man of thirty, newly
entered into the Episcopal Church, but, in the twenty
years of his life here, he became one of the best known
of the clergy of the Diocese of New York, honored and
esteemed by his associates in the ministry, the close
friend of the late Bishop of New York, the Rt. Rev.
Henry C. Potter, and widely loved by the laity.
During the incumbency of Dr. Ziegenfuss definite
changes occurred in Christ Church, partly traceable to
his influence, partly to general conditions in the Episco-
pal Church at the time.
The fundamental change was the transformation of
this conservative, moderately High Church parish into
one of Broad Church sympathies, and to Dr. Ziegenfuss
this is directly attributable. He was possessed of
218
THE REV. HENRY L. ZIEGENFUSS, S.T.D.
Minister in Charge of Christ Church, 1874-1875
Rector, 1875-1894
From a photograph taken about 1890
The Records ofChrist Church
scholarly tastes and abilities and was a natural student,
which qualities brought him into touch, at the outset of
his career, with certain forces which began to make
themselves felt in the Church in the United States in the
seventies, and which resulted in the appearance of those
who are called Broad Churchmen.
Two powerful streams of influence rising, the one on
the Continent, the other in England, about the middle
of the nineteenth century, and paralleling in course for
a time, converged ultimately, and swirled their double
current upon the Church, approximately 1870-1880.
One was the work pursued in the German Universities,
known as the Higher Criticism of the Bible, and the
other the promulgation by Charles Darwin of the Doc-
trine of Evolution.
Acceptance of these new intellectual positions necessi-
tated the giving up of the Puritan conception of the
Bible, and of some of the doctrines in Christian theology
which had become ingrained in the thought of the Church.
After the Reformation, the Puritans had substituted
for a belief in an infalhble Pope, a belief in an infallible
Book, and had invested the King James Version of the
Bible with a sacredness, which, to them, included the
very punctuation and paragraphing; they forgot that
the original scriptures had been written in other lan-
guages, and not all at one time; that the Church had
produced the Bible, not the Bible the Church; and their
theory of inspiration was a purely mechanical one.
When the German scholars applied to the study of these
manuscripts the same laws which governed the study
of other early literature, the Christian world was aghast.
Dr. Ziegenfuss read and spoke German with ease and
fluency, which gave him direct and early access to the
219
The Records ofChrist Church
world of thought in the foreign Universities. He assimi-
lated readily the teaching that the Bible is many books
in one, that it combines all forms of literary expression
of truth, — prophecy, history, poetry, drama, — and that
the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit breathes throughout
it, imparting the essence of spiritual truths, but often
presenting those truths in ways which are not to be
understood hterally.
At the present time it is hackneyed to refer to the
story of the Garden of Eden as a poetic and imaginative
conception of the creation, and to the Book of Jonah as a
drama, written to teach a moral lesion, but, when Dr.
Ziegenfuss preached thus in the pulpit of Christ Church,
the older members of the congregation were rigid with
disapproval of such revolutionary ideas. "Older mem-
bers" is said advisedly, for, to some of the juniors. Dr.
Ziegenfuss opened the way to a faith and an understand-
ing they had found impossible from the point of view of
their forbears.
Dr. Ziegenfuss's interest in science, his knowledge of
chemistry and biology, also made him a convert to the
theory of evolution, which is now, to many, a hand-maid
to their Christian belief, but, when first discussed, caused
consternation in the Church, affecting, as it did, doc-
trines that were considered necessary to the very exist-
ence of Christianity.
Only as the smoke and dust of controversial battle
settled, was it realized that religion and theology are not
one; that religion is God in Man, ever present and
indwelling, but that theology is only Man's limJted
knowledge of God reduced to scientific terms, and that,
as Truth is a jewel many faceted, and presenting different
aspects from different angles, so, as Man's knowledge of
220
The Records ofChrist Church
God, the Great Truth, grows, it changes with its growth,
and its scientific terms of expression must also change.
Gradually there appeared among Episcopalians a new
type of Churchman, called Broad, the product of the
intellectual forces that had been at work, and character-
ized by a devotion to the spirit of Truth, as opposed to the
bondage of its letter. Adopting the results of the Higher
Criticism, and of the Doctrine of Evolution, the Broad
Churchmen manifested tolerance in theological differ-
ences, and tolerance toward the various bodies into which
Christians have gathered themselves, recognizing among
the latter the operation and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
A new passion for Humanity filled them, inspired by the
evolutionary conception of Man, not as fallen and to be
saved from future punishment, but as ever rising to
greater good, and as having within him that spark of
divinity which burst into full flame in Jesus Christ.
A Broad Churchman therefore is a modern embodi-
ment of the principle of religious liberty. He has been
with us long enough for us to be able to observe his
strength and his weakness, but not to prophecy his ulti-
mate development. His weaknesses are the defects of
his virtues; as, for example, his breadth of view in theolo-
gy, which is primarily a charter of new life, but which, in
its extreme, occasions an indefinite presentation of the
great underlying beliefs and principles of the Church.
As, also, his attitude toward the many Christian Com-
munions of the Protestant world. His truly Christly
spirit of good will and forbearance, which makes for
kindly personal relations among all disciples of Jesus
Christ, causes, in his own household of faith, a laxity
toward its inherited ideals and standards, in which lurks
a menace to sound growth in years to come. A laity
221
The Records of Christ Church
uninstructed in, and somewhat indifferent to, the funda-
mental differences which distinguish its nominal alleg-
iance, is as the sand for a foundation for the future.
The Episcopal Church today needs, not less toleration
for its ecclesiastical brethren, but a better understanding
of its own teachings, a deeper love and loyalty which
will admit no substitute for it on the part of its average
member, and a more earnest, consecrated effort to pro-
mote its growth and spread its message.
The change wrought in Christ Church by the passing
of the old order, and the coming of the new, was a subtle
one, and hardly observable until it was accomplished,
so that in Dr. Ziegenfuss's lifetime it was less apparent
than since his death; but none the less is it due to him
that Christ Church is now accounted a Broad Church
parish.
Entirely objective, however, were two other changes
effected by him, the first being that of the adornment of
the chancel. He loved the beautiful, and, while he con-
sidered the accessories to the services of the Church as
non-essentials in themselves, he yet wished them as aids
to worship, and as a recognition of that which is digni-
fied and seemly in the House of God.
In Dr. Buel's and Dr. Cady's rectorates there were
red velvet hangings on the pulpit, desk and Altar
the year round, but, in 1877, this old set was dyed black
(for use on Good Friday and at funerals), and Dr.
Parker's wife made and embroidered a new red, and the
first purple set; about the same time a white set was
given by Mrs. William A. Davies. Green hangings
were not used until 1888, when the new church was
built, and a set given by Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney.
Colored stoles, to match, were included in the several
222
THE CHANCEL
Decorated for the last Easter in the Second Church
AprU 21st, 1888
The Records ofChrist Church
sets of hangings at the time each of the latter were
introduced.
Prior to Dr. Ziegenfuss's coming, the Altar had stood
against the east wall, with only a service-book lying upon
it. In the recess of the chancel-window he caused to be
placed a retable, bearing the words "Holy, Holy, Holy"
on its face, and, above it, a reredos, consisting of three
panels in the form of Gothic arches. At Easter, 1877, a
brass Altar-cross and a pair of brass flower-vases were
given; in October, 1877, Miss Charlotte Davies gave a
brass Altar-desk; and at Easter, 1878, Mrs. John
Thompson presented a brass alms -basin in memory of
her father, James Bailey, of Plattsburgh, N. Y. A
brass baptismal ewer was the gift at Easter, 1885, of Miss
Mary Allen and her Sunday School class. About 1886,
Dr. Ziegenfuss had the pulpit and reading-desk
put outside the chancel -rail, and the old rail replaced
by a new one of more ecclesiastical design; thus empha-
sizing still further his reverence for the sanctuary, as the
Holy of Holies. When the new church was built in 1888,
the first litany -desk used in the parish, one of carved oak,
was given by Mrs. Henry M. Curtis.
The name of the donor of the brass Altar -cross and
vases in 1877 has never been announced, but their pres-
ence on the retable was the cause of the removal from
Christ Church to St. Paul's of Stephen M. Buckingham.
Mr. Buckingham, an old-time gentleman, and a man of
strong principles, highly respected in the community,
was a conscientious and convinced Low Churchman,
opposed to anything which would alter the simplicity of
the services of the Church, and his action in leaving
the parish is interesting in its historical setting, show-
ing him to have been one of the last survivors of the
223
The Records oj Christ Church
early Low Church party. He had been a communicant in
Christ Church since 1850, a vestryman twenty-five years,
and always exceedingly generous with his large means,
not only in the parish, but in the work of the Convoca-
tion of Dutchess, with which he was closely allied from
1857 to his death in 1887.
In May, 1888, just after the consecration of the new
church, the vestry received an offer of "two Altar -lights,*'
which they "declined to accept at present." On one
memorable occasion two seven -branch candlesticks,
filled with lighted candles, did stand on the Holy Table
of Christ Church, on either side of a tall floral cross; this
was in June 1868^ at a Cottage Hill Seminary commence-
ment. But these two instances seem to be the nearest
this parish has ever come to candles on the Altar.
The other distinct innovation that occurred in Dr.
Ziegenfuss's rectorate was the inauguration by him of
organized Church work. In the years preceding, there
had been no formal conduct of affairs, and no guilds,
nor societies for the laity; since he started it, organized
work has greatly increased and developed, but its initial
steps were led by him. The following is a chronological
list of the groups of men and women that have banded
together in Christ Church from time to time:
The Parochial Visitikg Committee
Visitation of the poor and sick is the earliest form of lay work
in the parish of which there is record. With the founding of
the Sunday School in 1824, is seen its most evident beginnings,
and it increased with the establishment of the Parish School
in 1845. The names of Miss Phinney, Miss Mary Allen and
Mrs. Horace Sague are those of three of the several women
who were very early identified with this work. Of Miss
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, July 18th, 1868.
224
The Records oj Christ Church
Phinney mention has already been made; Miss Allen taught in
the Parish School and in the Sunday School for many years,
and is remembered with esteem for her life of good deeds and her
love for the Church. Mrs. Sague, before her marriage in 1860,
had for some ten years been one of those who made parish calls.
At the beginning of Dr. Ziegenfuss's rectorate, about 1875,
he appointed her Chairman of a Parochial Visiting Committee,
and she filled the office continuously until 1904.
Of Mrs. Sague's associates on this committee, some of those
who began with her, and continued for many years, were Mrs.
Robert E. Taylor, Mrs. Robert Van Kleeck, Mrs. Edward H.
Parker, Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney and Miss Mary Hart, wo-
men whose devout faith and devotion to the Church's mission
are their lasting memorial in the parish. Their quiet, unre-
corded acts of charity and mercy set them apart, in a niche
pecuharly their own, before which burns the lamp-flame of our
love and recollection.
In 1900, the Parochial Visiting Committee became the Relief
Committee of the Women's Guild of the parish. Since the
resignation of Mrs. Sague in 1904, the Chairmen have been, —
Mrs. E. V. Sidell, 1904-1906; Mrs. Charles J. Meade, 1906-
1908; Mrs. Joseph C. EngUsh, 1908-1910; Mrs. Albert E.
Schwartz, 1910.
The Chancel Committee
The Rev. Dr. Cady is authority for the statement that, in
his rectorate, there was no chancel work done by the laity.
This was because the only occasion for it was the preparation
for the celebration of the Holy Communion, and that was at-
tended to by the clergy. Flowers were used only on the
Greater Festivals, such as Christmas and Easter.
With Dr. Ziegenfuss's introduction of colored hangings,
which it was necessary to change from time to time, and of
vases on the retable, which were filled with flowers for the
weekly Sunday services, there began, in 1877, the reverent
labors in the sanctuary of the women of the congregation.
The workers in the Market street church, from 1877 to 1888,
were six in number, and they were not organized as a com-
mittee, but divided and arranged the duties informally among
themselves. The original four were Mrs. Edward H. Parker,
Miss Lydia Phinney, Miss Jeannie C. Wright and Miss Emma
225
The Records of Christ Church
Corlies. Mrs. Parker died in 1880 and was succeeded by her
daughter, Miss Helen C. Parker, and Miss Elizabeth Newcomb
followed Miss Phinney, after the latter's death in 1879.
More workers were needed when the new church was built,
and, on June 9th, 1888, an Altar Society was formally organ-
ized. In the first year of its existence the following ladies were
members of it: Mrs. Henry M. Curtis, Mrs. Augustus
Doughty, Mrs. Henry Hampton, Mrs. Hayt, Mrs. John
Kinkead, Mrs. S. N. Morgan, Mrs. John C. Otis, and the
Misses Antoinette and Mary Cornwell, Helen L. Douw, Mary
E. Goodsell, Edith Hamilton, Helen C. Parker, Elvira Sague
and Margaret A. Storm.
On June 4th, 1889, the Society voted to reduce the number
of its active members to eight, and it was accordingly reor-
ganized with these names on the roU : Mrs. Henry Hampton,
Mrs. John C. Otis, Mrs. Edward H. Parker, and the Misses
Antoinette and Mary Cornwell, Helen C. Parker, Elvira
Sague and Margaret A. Storm.
It is impossible to give the personnel of the Society from
1889 to 1900, in which latter year it relinquished its indepen-
dent existence and became a Standing Committee of the
Women's Guild of Christ Church, but the Presidents have
been: Mrs. Augustus Doughty, 1888-'89; Mrs. Henry
Hampton, 1889-'90; Miss Helen C. Parker, 1890-'91; Miss
Mary Cornwell, 1891-'92; Mrs. John C. Otis, 1892-'93; Mrs.
George W. Halliwell, 1893-'94; Mrs. Henry Booth, 1894-'95;
Miss Lina Slee, 1895-'96; Miss Cora A. Reynolds, 1896-'97;
Mrs. Alexander L. Fryer, 1897-'98; Miss Helen Van Kleeck,
1898-'99; Miss Mary E. Woodin, 1899-1900; Mrs. Edward
H. Parker, 1900.
The colored hangings which were new in 1877 were followed
in 1888 by a white set given by Mr. Joseph T. Tower, a green
set by Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney, and a red set by Mrs.
Albert Tower, and, in 1889, the Ladies' Aid Society gave the
materials for a purple set that was made and embroidered by
Mrs. Henry Hampton. In 1901 Mrs. Martha Barnard Jones
and Mrs. A. Edward Tower gave a new white set, and in 1902
a new purple set was made and embroidered by Miss Mildred
E. Taylor and Miss Sarah Petillon, of materials purchased by
the Women's Guild. All embroidered hangings were dispensed
with in 1906, and, since then, only dossals, of figured brocade
or of plush, have been used ; the purple dossal is that made in
226
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The Records ojChrist Church
1902 by Miss Petillon, and the white, green and red were the
gifts of Mrs, Charles H. Buckingham.
In the Market street church flowers were used in profusion,
specially generous contributors being Mrs. Albert Tower and
Mrs. John Kinkead. The latter has made a tradition of the
beauty of her decoration of the font at Easter for many years,
in both churches, and, in the new church, the care of the lec-
tern by Mrs. Augustus Doughty, of the pulpit by Mrs. James
W. Hinkley, and the large gifts to the Altar by Mrs. Charles
H. Buckingham, have frequently made the church seem the
home of flowers.
The Poughkeepsie Branch of the Woman's Auxiliary
The first minute book of the Secretary of the Poughkeepsie
Branch of the Woman's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions
opens with this paragraph: "On the 25th of October, 1879,
Bishop Whipple addressed the three parishes of Poughkeepsie,
assembled at Christ Church, on the subject of missions. After
which, the ladies were requested to meet m the chapel, ad-
joining the church, to organize a branch society of the Wom-
an's Auxiliary."
At this meetmg by-laws were adopted and officers elected.
The first board consisted of Mrs. William A. Davies, President;
Mrs. Stephen H. Synott, Vice President; Mrs. Stanley Bart-
lett. Treasurer; Miss Ehzabeth Newcomb, Foreign Secre-
tary; Miss Jeannie C. Wright, Domestic Secretary.
The inter-parochial basis of the local branch of the Auxil-
iary has continued to the present, and the organization has a
record of much good work.
Christ Church Guild
In the spring of 1882 Dr. Ziegenfuss formed an organization,
known as Christ Church Guild, for men and women jointly.
It lasted until about the time the new church was built, and
held its meetings in the evening, either in the Sunday School
room at the rear of the old church, or in the Parish School
building, corner of Market and Pine. The gatherings were
both social and literary, and the outside work was varied. At
the meetings there were discussions and readings, and Dr.
Ziegenfuss instructed classes in philosophy, astronomy, etc.
227
The Records of Christ Church
Committees had charge of Sunday School work, entertain-
ments and other parish interests. The life of this Guild was
short, but its membership was numerous and influential, and
its meetings successful. The manifold activities, incident to
the buildmg of the new church, 1887-1888, brought about its
dissolution.
The Ladies' Aid Society
This society was organized on October 8th, 1886, at the
house of Mrs. John C. Otis, for the specific purpose of enlistmg
the women of the congregation in the work of raising money
toward the erection of a new church building. Seven ladies
were present,— Mrs. Otis, Mrs. C. M. Nelson, Mrs. Huhne,
Mrs. George W. Halliwell, Mrs. William Betts, Mrs. AUing
and Mrs. Charles WiUiams, — their conference resulting in
several years of strenuous labor and large accomplishment.
The meetings of the Aid Society from 1886 to 1894 were held
in private houses, and a small fee was paid by the members at-
tending, the aggregate fees creating a capital fund out of which
purchases were made of sewing materials. There were many
skilled needlewomen in the parish, and they received and filled
orders for the elaborately embroidered centerpieces and doy-
Ues, then fashionable, and also for plain sewing; catering or-
ders were taken, and sales were held of fancy articles and of
cake.
The Society had no President, Secretary, nor Treasurer from
1886 to 1894, and for all those eight years the duties of these
several offices were performed by Mrs. John C. Otis, who bore
the burden of purchasing materials, distributing the same,
keeping the accounts, and, finally, overseeing the expenditure
of the money that was earned for the Society's gifts to the
Church. Her long continued, self-sacrificing toil, and enthu-
siastic interest were important factors in the success attained
by the Aid Society.
The parish is indebted to Mrs. Otis for the preservation
of the papers and books belonging to the Ladies' Aid at this
important period of its existence, from which records valuable
details are gathered. From October, 1886, to October, 1894,
$7,440.91 was earned by the members of the organization by
the simple methods that have been outlined. The prmcipal
disbursements were these:
228
The Records of C hr i s t Church
$1,850.00, paid May 15th, 1888, to George Mertz and Sons.
Port Chester, N. Y., for choir-stalls and rood-
screen.
787.75, paid May 24th, 1888, to H. D. Ostermoor & Son,
N. Y. City, for pew cushions.
50.00, paid May 24th, 1888, to H. D. Ostermoor & Son,
for cushions for use in the chancel,
1,140.00, paid May 23rd, 1888, to Donald, Converse &
Maynard, Poughkeepsie, for 1134 yards of Body
Brussels carpet, made and laid.
81.75, paid July 3rd, 1888, to Donald, Converse &
Maynard for 109 hassocks.
216.00, paid May 21st, 1888, to Cox Sons, Buckley & Co.,
for cassocks and cottas, imported from London,
for 12 boys, 7 youths, and 13 men.
62.00, paid 1888, to Cox Sons, Buckley & Co., for a silk
cassock and linen surplice, imported from
London.
55.00, paid 1888, to Cox Sons, Buckley & Co., as a cash
balance due on the purchase of a new Altar, which
was valued at $82.00. $27.00 was allowed in ex-
change for the former Altar and an alms-box
and hymn-board.
65.86, paid for materials for a set of purple hangings,
made and embroidered by Mrs. Henry Hampton,
in 1889.
1,800,00, paid Sep. 20th, 1892, to the TiflFany Glass & Deco-
rating Co., for painting and decorations in the
church.
200.00, paid Oct. 3rd, 1892. to Mr. William A. Potter,
architect, for professional services in connection
with the decoration of the church.
The record books mention many women who, from Octo-
ber, 1886, to November, 1889, helped the Aid Society in
different ways, either as active members or by generous con-
tributions. The names so appearing are those of :
A. Miss Julia Alexander; Miss Mary Allen; Mrs. Ailing.
B. Mrs. O. D. M. Baker; Miss Mary Baker; Mrs. Susan M.
Ball; Mrs. William Betts; Mrs. Frank Bradbury; Mrs.
Charles Brooks.
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The Records ojChrist Church
C. Mrs. M. E. ColliBgwood; Mrs. John Collingwood; Mrs.
George Cornwell; Miss AntoiBette Cornwell; Miss Mary
Cornwell; Miss Irene Cornwell; Mrs. Henry M. Curtis.
D. Mrs. Roland, R. Dennis; Mrs. Augustus Doughty; Miss
Josephine M. Doughty.
E. Mrs. Irving Eltmg.
F. Miss Fish; Mrs. Charles Fogg; Mrs. E. D. Forman;
MissForman; Mrs. Joseph G. Frost; Miss Julia Frost.
G. Mrs. Griffin; Miss Mary E. Goodsell; Miss Goodrich.
H. Mrs. Edward Haight; Mrs. George W. HaUiwell; Mrs.
Adolphus Hamilton; Miss Edith Hamilton; Miss Ham-
mond; Mrs. Henry Hampton; Miss May Hampton; Mrs.
Frank Hasbrouck; Mrs. Peter B. Hayt; Mrs. Smith Heroy ;
Mrs. Mary A. Hinkley; Mrs. Horace D. Hufcut; Mrs.
Hulme; Mrs. Nathaniel Huntiag; Mrs. Samuel Hunting.
K. Mrs. John Ejnkead.
L. Miss Pauline Lalouette.
M. Mrs. Marsh; Mrs. Edward T.Mason; Mrs. S. N. Morgan.
N. Mrs. C. M. Nelson; Miss Ehzabeth Nelson; Miss Leila
Nelson; Mrs. Sophia P. Newcomb; Miss Elizabeth
Newcomb.
O. Mrs. John C. Otis; Mrs. Jacob Overocker.
P. Mrs. Edward H. Parker; Miss Helen C. Parker; Mrs.
Sylvester Pier; Mrs. Putnam.
R. Mrs. Charles Rudd.
S. Mrs. Horace Sague; Miss Elvira Sague; Mrs. W. T.
Schultz; Mrs. P. Frost Spaulding; Mrs. Robert Steams;
Mrs. Edward Storm; Mrs. George W. Storm; Miss
Margaret A. Storm.
T. Mrs. Robert E. Taylor; Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney; Miss
Elizabeth Thomas; Miss Sarah Thomas; Mrs. John
Thompson; Mrs. Townsend.
V. Mrs. John Van Keuren; Mrs. Edgar Van Kleeck; Mrs.
Robert Van Kleeck; Miss Irene Van Kleeck.
W. Miss Wiley; Mrs. Charles Wilhams; Mrs. James L.
Williams; Mrs. Jeromus Wiltsie; Miss Margaret Win-
slow; Mrs. Wise; Mrs. Jere Wright.
Y. Mrs. Fleming Yelverton.
Z. Mrs. Henry L. Ziegenfuss.
230
The Records of Christ Church
In September, 1894, the Aid Society was reorganized and
the following board of officers elected:
President Mrs. Augustus Doughty
Vice President Mrs. Robert E. Taylor
Secretary Mrs. Edward H, Parker
Treasurer Mrs. John C. Otis.
This board continued for about two years. Mrs. Robert
Van Kleeck was President 1896-1898 (?), and Mrs. A. Edward
Tower 1898-1899 (?), and Miss Mary E. Woodin was Secretary
and Treasurer 1896-1899. After the mortgage was placed
upon the property of the Church in 1893, the vestry looked to
the Aid Society for help in raising the annual interest. The
Society did contribute generously to this, and to the current
expenses of the parish, for a time, and, in the summer of 1895,
provided the church with ventilators at a cost of $726.00; but
in February, 1899, it communicated to the vestry, by its Secre-
tary, its unwillingness to work further for the interest on the
debt, and, in 1900, its meetings were omitted.
The King's Daughters
In 1887-1890 a group of httle girls, who were gathered to-
gether and led by Miss Edith Hamilton, worked in various
ways to earn money with which to make a gift to the church,
then building. They sewed, and took cooking orders, and
gave tableaux, and held a fair, their efforts materializing in
the credence-table; in the Magnificat window, beside the or-
gan; and in the window called the Jeweled Cross. The
children who composed this circle of King's Daughters
were: Lydia Booth, Ehse Hampton, Mary Hinkley, Hazel
Hufcut, Corneha Dodge Kinkead, Josephine Mason, Nancy
Vincent McClelland, Agnes Reeves and Helen Van Kleeck.
Knights of Temperance
Christ Church Company, No,. 52
This organization was chartered November 15th, 1889, and
disbanded in October, 1893. The Wardens were Robert Van
Kleeck, 1889-1892, and John K. Sague, 1892-1893, and the
disbanding of the company took place because, when Mr.
231
The Records ojChrist Church
Sague was unable to serve longer, it was impossible to fill his
place, and the company formally voted that they preferred to
disband when their prestige was high, rather than to dwindle
into insignificance. They had had a particularly prosperous
existence, and ranked high in the general organization of the
Knights of Temperance. In the summer of 1891 they had a
camp near Stissing Lake, Dutchess County; in April, 1892, a
play was given to earn money for uniforms, and, in Jime, 1892,
the company went to New York and entered a competition
drill, in which they won the prize banner; in April, 1893, a
play was successfully given in the Opera House, and, in May,
1893, they joined prominently in a convention of Kiiights of
Temperance held in Pouglikeepsie. Companies from New
York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Connecticut and the
Hudson River towns attended this convention, during which
there were contests in declamation, athletics and drilling.
Christ Church Company won the prize banner in drilling,
second place in athletics, and second in increase of member-
ship. It is regretted that no list of the members of this com-
pany has been found. The officers in 1892 were: Warden,
Robert Van Kleeck; Vice-Warden, John J. Sloan; Sub- War-
den, John K. Sague; Past Captain, B. G. Tice; Captain, A. H.
Fish; Lieutenant, R. Graham; Senior Lieutenant, G. Lumb;
Junior Lieutenant, W. Wesley; Ensign, J. Hey; Senior Color
Guard, L. Mitchell; Junior Color Guard, W. Haight; Secre-
tary, R. H. Maar; Ass't Secretary, E. Wolven; Treasurer, P.
Howard; Ass't Treasurer, S. C. Fish.
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew
A charter was granted to Christ Church Chapter of the
Brotherhood of St. Andrew on November 22d, 1890. A
complete list of the members has not been obtained, but the
Chapter was founded by Mr. Sylvester Pier, the first Director,
and by Messrs. Michael T. Baumbusch, Henry S. Curtis, Al-
fred H. Fish, Victor Pier, Arthur B. Rudd, Wilham H. Sloan,
Robert Van Kleeck, and Hiram S. Wiltsie. For two years the
Order maintained a free reading room, with games, that was
open every evening at No. 94 Union street. Then, from 1893
232
The Records oj Christ Church
to 1898, it had charge of the mission at Spuyken Kill.i Mr.
Wiltsie succeeded Mr. Pier as Director, and the Rev. Mr.
Weikert followed Mr. Wiltsie. Through all of the Brother-
hood's eight years of hfe its members did regular work in
visiting the hospital, hotels and Eastman College. The
Chapter faded out of existence about 1899.
The Girls' Friendly— The Girls' Guild
July 7th, 1892, the Christ Church branch of the Girls'
Friendly Society was organized under the auspices of the
following ladies of the parish as Associate Members: Miss
Mary Baker, Miss Carrie Campbell, Miss Irene Cornwell,
Miss Helen Cornwell, Mrs. Augustus Doughty, Miss Helen
N. Frost, Mrs. Edward H. Parker, Miss Sarah Petillon, Mrs.
Sylvester Pier, Miss Julia Sague, Miss Elizabeth Schermer-
horn, Miss Lina Slee, Miss Gertrude Sloan, Mrs. Robert Van
Kleeck, Mrs. Harry Wallliead, Miss Mary E. Woodin.
Miss Helen N. Frost was the active directress, or executive
officer, 1892-1894, her successors between 1894 and 1900 being
Mrs. Harry Wallhead and Miss Mina L. Frost. The first roll
of girls numbered fifty-five, and the Friendly Society soon
proved itself a live organization; classes in cooking, plain
sewing and embroidery, and in hterature, history and draw-
ing were conducted with successful results, and the organ-
ization earned an excellent reputation.
In 1901 connection with the parent Society, the Girls'
Friendly in America, was severed, and the members of the
branch reorganized as the Girls' Guild of Christ Church, which
continued until 1905. Miss Mary E. Woodin was President
of the Girls' Guild 1901-1902; Mrs. Frederick S. Lyke, 1903;
Miss Lucy Jackson, 1903-1904. In 1905 the Guild was aUow-
ed to lapse; the meetings were of necessity held at evening,
and it came to be deemed unwise to bring such young girls
from home at that time.
1 The mission at Spuyken Kill was founded by Mr. William M.
Goodrich, vestryman of Christ Church, about the beginning of Dr.
Ziegenfuss's rectorate, services and Sunday School being held in the
school house. After Mr. Goodrich's death in 1881, Mr. Robert Van
Kleeck, who had been associated with him, acted as lay reader for
some years.
233
The Recor ds of C hr i s t Church
The Daughters of the King
It was probably late in 1896 that the original members of
the Christ Church Circle of the Order of the Daughters of the
King were gathered, but their charter was dated January
28th, 1897. The charter members were: Mrs. Frank Brad-
bury, Miss Helen Brill, Mrs. Frederick Chichester, Mrs.
John Gaylord, Miss Helen C. Parker, Miss Sarah Petillon,
Miss Cora Reynolds, Miss Mary B. Sanford, Mrs. Samuel A.
Weikert. Members entering after the charter had been
granted were : Miss Lotta Brown, Miss Florence Chichester,
Miss Edith Christie, Mrs.. Harvey French, Miss Cornelia B.
Hart, Miss Jane L. Hinkley, Mrs. Frederick S. Lyke, Miss
Marie L. Reynolds, Miss Nannie Vaughn and Miss Mary
Woodin. The Presidents of the Society have been, Mrs. S.
A. Weikert, 1897-1900; Mrs. Frederick Chichester, 1900-1901;
Miss Jane L. Hmkley, 1901-1903; Mrs. Frederick Chichester,
1903; Miss Sarah Petillon, 1904-1905. No election was held
in January, 1906, and the organization dissolved, largely be-
cause particular forms of work, in which it had been con-
cerned, no longer needed its help. The Daughters had had
charge of the Mothers' Meetings from 1897 to 1904, and of
the Girls' Guild from 1901 to 1905, and had worked hard and
faithfully, but the Mothers' Meetings became independent and
self-supporting, and the Girls' Guild was discontmued, so the
corporate association of the Daughters ceased.
Christ Church Cadet Corps — Boys' League
The Cadet Corps was organized in January, 1897, and con-
tmued until 1906, as a uniformed, drilled company of boys.
Their appearance in Decoration Day parades won them much
praise, and the boys enjoyed the benefits of several summer
camping trips arranged for them. In 1897 Allen Frost was
captain of the company; Samuel C. Fish was a leader in or-
ganizing it, and Alfred H. Fish was captain for several years.
The membership ranged from thirty to fifty boys.
The resignation in 1906 of John K. Sague, who had been
commandant of the corps since 1903, left the organization
without a leader. In 1907-1908 the military features were
dropped, and the same boys banded as the Junior, or Boys',
League, under Mr. Percy L. Reynolds, Director.
234
The Recor ds oj C hr i s t Church
Mothers' Meetings — St. Margaret's Guild
At some time during the year 1897, there was started an
organization which has steadily increased in strength ever
since. It had its beginning in this simple way. The Rev. Mr.
Weikert expressed regret to Mrs. George Champion that she
and other mothers of children in the Sunday School did not
oftener get to the church. In reply, Mrs. Champion suggest-
ed that, if meetings were held here, such as she, herself, had at-
tended in the Church of the Holy Apostles, New York City,
perhaps the mothers would come to them. Mr. Weikert there-
upon commissioned Mrs. Frederick Chichester and Mrs. Frank
Bradbury, two of the Daughters of the King, to start meetings
modelled after those held in the New York parish.
The meetings began with an attendance of seven, which has
since become about thirty-four. In their original purpose
they were intended to be a means whereby the Church should
help some of its members, and were conducted solely for the
personal benefit of those who came to them. On this basis
the Daughters of the King had charge of them, and supported
them for several years. Gradually the chief burden of the
work fell upon one member of the Daughters, Miss Jane L.
Hinkley, under whom, as Directress, the meetings in 1904 be-
came self -supporting, their source of income being the pro-
ceeds of the sales of tufted quilts. The Directresses succeed-
ing Miss Hinkley have been Mrs. John R. Reynolds, 1905-
1906; Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham,
jointly, 1906-1908; and Mrs. Buckingham, 1908-1910.
In the autumn of 1905 the old name of Mothers' Meetings
was given up, and that of St. Margaret's Guild adopted, in
honor of St. Margaret of Antioch, the patron saint of all
women, and especially of mothers. There is no guild in the
parish which does more work than St. Margaret's, or the
members of which give so generously, and a long and honor-
able future is anticipated for it.
The roll of 1910 bears the names of:
B.*^ Mrs.E.W. Bowen; Mrs. Boyles; Mrs. Edward Brenner;
Mrs. Joseph Brokosch; Mrs. Mary R. Brownlee; Mrs.
Burgess; Miss Sarah Boston; Miss Louisa Boston.
C. Mrs. Gilbert Caire; Mrs. George F. Champion; Mrs.
Peter Chapman; Mrs. F. J. Curdy.
D. Mrs. Newell Davids; Mrs. Samuel Dayton.
235
The Records ojChrist Church
F. Mrs. David H. Fowler; Mrs. Andrew Frank.
G. Mrs. Sarah Goodey.
H. Mrs. William Halstead; Mrs. Powell Hobert; Mrs. Anna
Page Horton; Mrs. Joseph Hughes.
I. Mrs. James Ingraham.
K. Mrs. Louisa Kahler; Mrs. William Key; Mrs. Charles
Edward King; Mrs. John W. King.
L. Mrs. Catherine Lewis; Mrs. Lindsley.
M. Mrs. Frank Madison; Mrs. Ann Mahoney; Mrs. Charles
Morgan; Mrs. Mary C. Myers; Miss Sarah C. Myers;
Miss Jane Mead.
P. Mrs. George T. Pearce; Mrs. Benjamin Pritchard.
R. Mrs. James Reickel; Mrs. James Rikel; Mrs. Charles
Rogers.
S. Mrs. Warren Silvernail; Mrs. James Slater; Mrs, Sper-
beck; Mrs. John Spross; Mrs. Philip Spross; Mrs. Jane
Scott; Mrs. Stone.
V. Mrs. Mary J. Valentine.
W. Mrs. Frank Williams.
The Women's Guild of Chbist Church
At the beginning of his rectorate, on December 13th, 1900,
the Rev. Alexander G. Cummins founded the Women's Guild
of Christ Church, with fifty-seven organizing members. A
constitution and by-laws were adopted on January 9th, 1901,
which provided for the centralizing of the parish work done
by women; in theory, every woman in the congregation is a
member of this Guild, which meets monthly, from October to
May, and which now has a membership of one hundred and
twenty-one. Beside the usual executive officers, there are
standing committees to conduct various branches of work, the
chairmen of which make monthly and annual reports at the
Guild meetings, the latter serving as a clearing house for
general information in regard to parochial aflfairs. OflScers
and chairmen are elected for one year, and are eligible for a
second consecutive term, but may not hold office for three
consecutive years. This principle of rotation has been
found advantageous in practice, new workers being trained
by it, and cliques among workers, and ruts in method avoided.
The Records of Christ Church
Beside the routine committee work annually carried on,
the Women's Guild, as a whole, has, from 1903, made a spe-
cial effort each year to give to the Church treasury at Easter,
the aggregate offerings from 1903 to 1910 amounting to
$7,829.15. The offering of $1,092.75 at Easter, 1908, was
applied to the mortgage indebtedness of the parish.
The officers of the Women's Guild from 1900 to 1910 have
been:
President, the Rector, ex officio.
First Vice President
Mrs. Robert Van Kleeck, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs.
Augustus Doughty, 1902-1904; Mrs. Jolm A. Roosevelt,
1904-1906; Mrs. James W. Hinkley, 1906-1908; Mrs. John
K. Sague, 1908-1910; Mrs. William DeGarmo Smith, 1910.
Second Vice President
Mrs. A. Edward Tower, December 1900-April 1902; Mrs.
Robert E. Taylor, 1902-1904; Mrs. Thomas M. Quirk, 1904-
1906; Mrs. Charles H.Buckingham, 1906-1908; Mrs. Harris
S. Reynolds, 1908-1910; Mrs. M. H. Chase, 1910.
Recording Secretary
Miss Helen W. Reynolds, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs.
George D. Olivet, 1902-1904; Miss Rosahe Manning, 1904-
1906; Miss Ruth A. Bahret, 1906-1908; Miss Marjorie L.
Nickerson, 1908-1910; Mrs. Frederick J. Mann, 1910.
Corresponding Secretary
Miss Cornelia D. Kmkead, December 1900-May 1902; Miss
Helen Van Kleeck, 1902-1904; Mrs. Harry Wallhead, 1904-
1906; Miss Florence W. Olivet, 1906-1908; Miss Fanny D.
Snyder, 1908-1910; Miss Lydia Shultz, 1910.
Treasurer
Mrs. Henry Booth, December 1900-May 1902; Miss Ellen
C. Roosevelt, 1902-1904; Mrs. Frank Hasbrouck, 1904-
1906; Miss Mary Wood, 1906-1908; Miss Mary Cornwell,
1908-1910; Miss Effie Porteous, 1910.
Relief Committee
Mrs. Horace Sague, December 1900-May 1904; Mrs. E. V.
Sidell, 1904-1906; Mrs. Charles J. Meade, 1906-1908; Mrs.
Joseph C. Enghsh, 1908-1910; Mrs. Albert E. Schwartz,
1910.
237
The Records ofChrist Church
Chancel Committee
Mrs. Edward H. Parker, December 1900-May 1902; Miss
Helen W. Reynolds, 1902-1904; Miss Jane L. Hinkley, 1904-
1906; Miss Julia Sague, 1906-1907; Miss Helen Van Kleeck,
1907-1910; Miss Irene Cornwell, 1910.
Hospitality Committee
Mrs. John C. Otis, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs. William
R. Farrington, 1902-1904; Miss Irene Van Kleeck, 1904-
1906; Mrs. Smith W. Davis, 1906-1908; Mrs. Charles W.
Swift, 1908-1910; Miss May L. Reynolds, 1910.
Visiting Committee
Mrs. George D. Olivet, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs.
John K. Sague, 1902-1904; Mrs. Edward H. Parker, 1904-
1905; Miss Helen W. Reynolds, October 1905-May 1907;
Mrs. John C. Otis, 1908-1910; Mrs. DuBois Carpenter,
1910.
Writing Committee
Mrs. Augustus Doughty, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs.
Archibald McC. Bush, 1902-1904; Mrs. Walter M. Jones,
1904-1906; Miss May L. Reynolds, 1906-1908; Miss Sarah
Petillon, 1908-1910; Mrs. John W. Garrison, 1910.
Missionary Committee
Mrs. John Thompson, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs.
Smith W. Davis, 1902-1904; Miss Mary Cornwell, 1904-
1906; Mrs. Robert J. Stratford, February 1907-May 1908.
Committee on Associate Organizations
Miss Mary E. Woodm, December 1900-May 1902; Mrs.
Frederick S. Lyke, 1902-1903; Miss Mary B. Sanford, 1903-
1904; Miss Sarah PetUlon, 1904-1096; Mrs. J. H. M. A.
von Tiling, 1906-1908; Miss Rosalie Manning, 1908-1910;
Mrs. Chester T. CadweU, 1910.
Property Committee
Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham, November 1906-1910.
Librarian, Church Periodical Club
Mrs. Harris S. Reynolds, 1901; Miss Helen Cornwell, 1902-
1904; Mrs. DuBois Carpenter, 1904-1906; Mrs. Albert E.
Schwartz, 1906-1908; Mrs. Charles F. Wood, 1908-1910;
Mrs. Alexander C. Dow, 1910.
238
The Records oj Chri st Church
The members of the Women's Guild in 1910 are:
B. Miss Ruth A. Bahret; Mrs. Harry S. Bock; Miss Mabel
Booth; Mrs. G. C. Bower; Miss Myra Brazier; Mrs.
George Briggs; Mrs. Mary R. Brownlee; Mrs. Charles
H. Buckingham; Mrs. Archibald McC. Bush.
C. Mrs. Chester T.Cadwell; Mrs. DuBois Carpenter; Mrs.
WilUam B. Carpenter; Mrs. Walter R. Case; Mrs. George
F. Champion; Mrs. M. H. Chase; Miss Florence Chi-
chester; Mrs. George Cornwell; Miss Mary Cornwell;
Miss Irene Cornwell; Miss Helen Cornwell; Miss Susan
Coxhead; Miss Julia Crooke; Mrs. Edward W. Cundy.
D. Mrs. Henry Dale; Mrs. George W. Davids; Mrs. Smith
W.Davis; Mrs. C. P. Dorland; Mrs. Augustus Doughty;
Mrs. Mary Harris Doughty; Mrs. Alexander C. Dow.
E. Mrs. James E. East; Mrs. Joseph C. EngUsh.
G. Mrs. John W. Garrison; Mrs. Elmer D. Gildersleeve Jr.;
Mrs. Jesse J. Graham; Mrs. Augustus B. Gray.
H. Mrs. John Hackett; Mrs. George W. Halliwell;, Mrs. C.
C. Harcourt; Miss Louise Hardenbrook; Miss Mary A.
Hart; Miss Emily Hart; Mrs. James W. Hinkley; Miss
Mary Hinkley; Miss Jane L. Hinkley; Miss Anne
Hinkley; Miss Josephine Hinkley; Mrs. James W.
Hinkley Jr.; Miss Lillian Hunter.
I. Mrs. Samuel M. IngersoU.
J. Mrs. Walter M. Jones; Miss Elizabeth Van Cleef Jones.
K. Mrs. J. K. Kaley; Mrs. John Kinkead; Miss Cornelia
D. Kinkead; Mrs. Walter S. Knowlson; Mrs. Carl Kohl.
L. Miss Pauline Lalouette.
M. Mrs. Frederick J. Mann; Mrs. William Manning; Miss
Rosahe Manning; Miss Minnie R. McGlasson; Mrs.
Herbert Mills; Mrs. Sarah North Morgan.
N. Mrs. Walter C. Nichols.
0. Mrs. George D. Olivet; Miss Florence W. OUvet; Mrs.
John Calhoun Otis; Mrs. John Haviland Otis; Mrs.
Jacob V. Overocker.
P. Mrs. James B. Packard; Miss Sarah Petillon; Mrs. Isaac
Piatt; Mrs. James G. Porteous; Miss Effie Porteous;
Dr. Emma Putnam; Mrs. William Prowse.
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The Records of Christ Church
R. Mrs. Adrian Rapelje; Mrs. James M. Reickel; Mrs.
Harris S. Reynolds; Miss May L. Reynolds ; Mrs. John
R. Reynolds; Miss Helen W. Reynolds; Mrs. John A.
Roosevelt; Miss Ellen C. Roosevelt; Mrs. Charles Rudd;
Mrs. Jay W. Russell.
S. Mrs. Horace Sague; Mrs. John K. Sague; Mrs. Albert E.
Schwartz; Miss Ameha Shiiltz; Miss Lydia Shultz; Mrs.
Edwin V. Sidell; Mrs. Albert A. Simpson; Mrs. William
Sirrine; Miss Gertrude Sloan; Mrs. William De Garmo
Smith; Miss Fanny D. Snyder; Mrs. P. Frost Spaulding;
Mrs. Charles W. Swift; Miss Elma D. Swift.
T. Miss Louise E. Taylor; Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney;
Mrs. Isaac Trolley.
v. Mrs. Harry Valentine; Mrs. Edward W. Valentine; Mrs.
Robert Van Kleeck; Miss Helen Van Kleeck; Miss Irene
Van Kleeck; Mrs. Isaac B. Van Vliet; Miss Narmie L.
Vaughan; Mrs. J. H. M. A. von Tihng.
W. Mrs. Harry Wallhead; Mrs. Owen Ward; Mrs. WilUam
T. Ward; Miss May C. Wilkinson; Miss Sarah E.
Williams; Miss Jessie Williams; Mrs. Louis C. Wood;
Mrs. Charles F. Wood; Mrs. William R. Woodin; Miss
Mary E. Woodin; Mrs. Walter Wrigley.
The Young People's Association
This Society was started June 11th, 1902, of nodxed mem-
bership, young men and young women, both, belonging to it,
and the meetings being largely social in character. The
difficulties in the way of its success were too many, and it was
dropped at the end of its second year.
The Sewing School
A Sewing School was opened in November, 1903, and contin-
ued until May, 1905. Miss Mary B. Sanford served as Direct-
ress, 1903-1904, and Miss Helen Van Kleeck, 1904-1905. For
want of a Directress there was an hiatus in the sessions 1905-
1908; in the year 1908-1909 a group of Vassar College students
conducted the school, and, in 1909-1910, it has been in the
charge of Miss Elizabeth Van Cleef Jones. The average num-
^40
The Records oj Christ Church
ber of children attending, each year in which the school has
been open, has been about forty, and the practical results
have been very satisfactory.
The Young Women's League
When the Girls' Guild was discontinued in 1905 because of
the extreme youth of its members, it was followed by the
organization on January 11th, 1906, of the Young Women's
League, intended for older girls, communicants of the parish,
among whom a common meeting ground was needed. A few
of the organizing members were: the IVIisses Ruth Bahret,
Hilda Bayer, Irene Cornwell, Helen Cornwell, Lena Guylee,
Louise Hardenbrook, Jane Hinkley, Luella Myers, Effie Por-
teous, Vera Powell, May L. Reynolds, Helen W. Reynolds,
Ellen C. Roosevelt, Helen Van Kleeck and May C. Wilkin-
son. The meetings have been social and industrial, and for
about three years were held regularly from October to May;
missionary boxes have been packed, and, in 1909, excellent
work for the tuberculosis camp of the City of Poughkeepsie
was done. In the season of 1909-'10, the meetings were con-
fined to the weeks preceding Christmas, when the dolls for the
Sunday School tree were dressed. The lack of Directors did
away with the meetings the remainder of the year. In 1906
the Directors were Miss Helen W. Reynolds and Miss Helen
Van Kleeck; from the fall of 1906 to Christmas, 1908, Miss
Jane L. Hinkley and Miss Helen Van Kleeck; from January
to December, 1909, Miss May C. Wilkinson and Mrs. John W.
Garrison.
The Men's League
On February 2d, 1908, a service for men, only, was held in
Christ Church, when the building was taxed to its capacity
to accommodate the numbers who attended to hear a stirring
address by the Rt. Rev. Charles D. Williams, Bishop of Michi-
gan. Largely owing to the influence of this impressive occa-
sion, a Men's League was formed in the parish, during Febru-
ary, 1908, which has since held regular meetings and been ac-
tive in the work it mapped out for itself. It has labored to in-
crease the interest in the Church of the men of the parish,
and to contribute its share to the improvement of modem
£41
The Records oj Christ Church
social conditions. The President of the League is the Rector,
ex officio, and the lay Directors have been Messrs. Edwin V.
Sidell, 1908; Harry Wallhead, 1908-1910; Albert E. Schwartz,
1910.
Members of the League are:
A. Otto Albertson.
B. George K. Baird; Michael T. Baumbusch; Raymond
Baumbusch; Harry Bayer; John T. Bayer; Ralph Bill-
man; Harry S. Bock; Reon L. Bowen; G. C. Bower;
John Bower; James C. Brower; Richard Brown; William
E. Bussing.
C. Dr. Chester T. CadweU; GUbert Caire; Pelton Cannon;
Du Bois Carpenter; George Cassidy; M. H. Chase;
George F. Champion; Peter Conrad; Homer L. Coxhead;
Edward W. Cundy.
D. George W.Davids; Newell Davids; Raymond B. Davids;
Smith W. Davis; John Detlefs; Seward Devine; Augus-
tus Doughty; Robert Doughty; Alexander Dow.
E. Joseph C. English.
F. Alfred H. Fish; J. Howard Fitchett; Robert Flagler;
Benjamin M. Fowler; David H. Fowler; George L.
Frankenstein; Albert Frederick; Louis N. Frost.
G. John W. Garrison; Elmer D. Gildersleeve, Jr.; Jesse J.
Graham; John N. Graham; Augustus B. Gray; George
W. Gray; Harry Gray; Ernest Guylee.
H. Abram Percival Hart; WiUiam Hall Hart; James W.
Hinkley 2d; John L. HJnkley.
I. Samuel M. Ligersoll.
K. Augustus Kaiser; Charles Edward King; John W. King.
L. Silas Lane; Albert Lewis; U. Grant Lucas.
M. HenryJ. Maar; Charles Madison; Frank Madison; Fred
Madsen; Richard J. Maloney; Dr. Frederick J. Mann;
Walter S. Marx; George McConaghy; Charles J. Meade;
Frank Myers; Thomas C. Myers.
O. W. H. Osborne; Dr. John C. Otis; Edwin Overocker;
George Overocker.
P. Robert E. Page; George Patterson; George T. Pearce;
Edward E. Perkins; Dr. Charles W. Pilgrim; Isaac Piatt;
William G. Prowse.
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The Records ojChrist Church
R. Harris S. Reynolds; Louis W. Reynolds; Paul I. Rey-
nolds; Percy L. Reynolds; Ashley H. Richards; Frede-
rick Rikel; James Rikel; Dr. Isaac Woodbridge Riley;
Samuel I. Robinson.
S. ' Clarence Sague; Horace Sague; the Hon. John K. Sague;
A. Allendorph Schoonmaker; Albert E. Schwartz;
Charles Scofield; Sydney D. Shattuck; Harold Sherrill;
Wilfred Sherrill; Edwin V. Sidell; Frederick H. Siegfried;
Albert A. Simpson; Harry Sirrine; WiUiam Sirrine;
James H. Slater; William H. Sloan; Harold Smith; Harry
M. Smith; Ralph Smith; William De Garmo Smith;
John Spross; Philip Spross; John Stratton; Charles W.
Swift.
T. Isaac TroUey.
V. Edward W. Valentine; Frank Valentine; Theodore Van
Kleeck; Reuben Van Vlack.
W. Frank Wallhead; Harry Wallhead; Walter Wesley;
WiUiam F. West; George Wilkinson, Jr.; Pierre G.
Williams; William Wolff; Charles F. Wood; Henry
Wood; Dr. Louis C. Wood; Walter Wrigley; William
Wright.
Y. Thomas C. Young.
Turning from the subject of organized work to a men-
tal review of the events in the parish in the years between
1875 and 1910, it quickly becomes evident that there was
but one event of any vital significance, but that that one
was so important in its results that it can only be looked
upon as a parting of the ways in the modern history of
Christ Church.
Until the third church was built in 1888, the congrega-
tion had led a quiet, useful life, with a fair measure of
material prosperity, the scale of their parochial living
being well within their means. To erect a new church
came to be necessarj^ to some extent, and an undertaking
advisable, inasmuch as the parish was capable of rising
to some effort to accomplish it. A new building was
243
The Records ojChrist Church
desired by Dr. Ziegenfuss, the Bishop of the Diocese
endorsed the proposition, the vestry favored it, and it
was made practicable when Mr. Tower, a member of the
vestry, told Dr. Ziegenfuss to proceed with the matter,
and that, after the congregation had done what it could,
he would make up the remainder of the money needed.
Mr. Albert Tower was a man of large wealth, the Pres-
ident of the Poughkeepsie Iron Company, who became a
parishioner of Christ Church about 1875, his strong
liking and friendship for Dr. Ziegenfuss drawing him into
the congregation. In the community he was held in the
greatest respect for the inherent worth of his character,
which was marked by a high integrity and moral purpose,
veiled by an unassuming modesty, while, in Christ
Church, he was also regarded with gratitude and affec-
tion for his generosity and devotion to the parish.
It was Mr. Tower's full intention to make good any
deficit arising from the building project, and, had he
lived, no debt would have rested upon the parish, but
his death occurred very suddenly, when certain expendi-
tures had not been met, and the result was the placing of
a large mortgage on the real estate held by the Corpora-
tion of Christ Church. The church itself had been
built, Mr. Tower paying about half the cost of it, and he
had also erected the tower as a special individual gift,
but incidental expenses in finishing the building and
laying out the grounds, and a balance due upon the
parish house, were still unpaid. It was made even more
difficult for the congregation to carry the mortgage by
the fact that the current income was each year insuffi-
cient for the support of the new, and more expensive,
property.
Possibly the architect, Mr. WiUiam Apple ton Potter,
244
THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OP THE ENGLISH
BURYING-GROUND
About 1884
The site of the present church
The Records ofChrist Church
and the vestry of that day builded better than they
knew, and, in creating a church plant of the size they
did, anticipated the requirements of a future now,
almost, become the present. Certain it is, however,
that, for a few years, the strain upon the people of
Christ Church, bereft of the financial support upon which
they had relied, staggering under the weight of a heavy
mortgage, and, in this crisis, losing the Rector whom they
loved and leaned upon, was so great, that their fate, as a
parish, trembled in the balance. In 1899 a legacy of ten
thousand dollars was received from the estate of Edgar
Van Kleeck, which was applied to the principal of the
mortgage, and reduced it from its original nineteen
thousand to nine thousand dollars, and, between 1899
and 1910, the nine thousand has been lowered to five.
No longer a serious financial burden, it is, however, still
a bugbear, morally, to many of the older members of the
congregation, familiar with the trials it engendered, and
it will be accounted a day of joy and of thanksgiving
when it is entirely wiped out.
The suggestion that a new church should be built was
discussed in 1886, and formally decided upon by vote of
the vestry on April 20th, 1887, the southwest corner of
the EngHsh burying-ground being chosen as the site.
The plans of William A. Potter, architect, were accepted
in May, and in July a contract was made with George
Mertz & Sons of Port Chester, N. Y., for the erection
of the building. The accounts of Mr. George Cornwell,
treasurer of the building fund, run from May 9th, 1887,
to February 9th, 1889, and show that $89,580.34 passed
through his hands, of which amount $45,000.00 was
given by Mr. Albert Tower. The only other consider-
able gift from an individual was that of $5,000.00 from
245
The Records of C hr i s t Church
Mr. Henry M. Curtis. The names of all those contribut-
ing to the building fund, directly through the treasurer
of the same, are:
A. John P. Adriance; Miss Alice P. Anthes,
B. Mrs. Susan M. Ball; Fenno D. Ball; Mrs. James Lenox
Banks; William Bartlett; Miss Caroline Barrett; Miss
Louise Barrett; Michael T. Baumbusch; John H. Brmck-
erhoff.
C. Arnout Cannon; C. L. Cannon; Peter CantUn; Jacob
B. Carpenter; Leonard Carpenter; John Carty; Jane
Carty; Dr. Walter R. Case; W. S. Chapman; John G.
Collingwood; George Cornwell; Henry M. Curtis.
D. William A. Davies; Le Grand Dodge; A. M. Doty;
Augustus Doughty; Miss Josephine M. Doughty; J. De
Puyster Douw ; Wilham T. Downes.
E. Irving Elting.
F. William R. Farrington; Mrs. James Fitchett; Mrs. Eliza
D. Forman; Miss Grace Forman.
G. William Gibson; Mrs. William M. Goodrich; Stephen G.
Guernsey.
H. Mrs. John H. Hackley; George W. Halliwell; John F,
Halstead; Mrs. Adolphus Hamilton; Miss Edith Hamil-
ton; Mrs. Henry Hampton; William Hare; Miss Susan
Hatch; Miss Julia Hatch; Peter B. Hayt; Mrs. Smith
Heroy; Theodore Hinkle; Miss Mary Emily Hinkle;
James W. Hinkley ; Mrs. Maud Van Buren Holmes.
L Henry Irving; James Irwin.
J. Mrs. Margaret C. Jackson; Mrs. Ira W. Johnson.
K. William Kaess; Mrs. Martha Kaye; Stephen Keller;
Sophie Keller; Mrs. W. W. Kelley; Christian Kiefer;
William R. Kimlin; Dr. John Kinkead; Mrs. John Kin-
kead.
Jj. Charles Lake.
M. Miss Elizabeth Marsh; Mrs. Peter McAvoy; Mrs. Anna
B. McConaghy; Miss Emily H. McCoull; ( ? ) Meisen-
backer; Miss Mary T. Merritt; Lucilius Moseley.
N. Dorsey Neville; Mrs. Sophia P. Newcomb; Miss Louisa
A. Nichols.
The Re.cords of C kr i s t Church
O. Mrs. J. D. Ostrander; Dr. John C. Otis.
P. Henry W. Page; William Polk; Mrs. William Polk; Dr.
James G. Porteous.
R.. Emily F. Raab; Charles P. Robinson; James Robson;
Zebulon Rudd.
S. Horace Sague; Mrs. Horace Sague; JohnK. Sague: Rob-
ert Sanford; Charles E, Schou; Miss Elizabeth Shep-
herd; Charles E.Shultz; Miss Amelia Shultz; MissLydia
Shultz; James Shurter; Miss S. Shurter; Frances Shuster;
James Sloan; William H. Sloan; John J. Sloan; Isaac
Smith; P. Frost Spaulding; Mrs. Robert Stearns; George
W. Storm; John SutclifiFe.
T. Hudson Taylor; Mrs. Hudson Taylor; Robert E. Tay-
lor; Benjamm R. Tenney; Mrs. John Thompson ; Albert
Tower; John Tweedy; Mrs. John Tweedy.
V. George Valentine; Mrs. Mary Valentine; Mrs. Edgar M.
Van Kleeck; Mrs. George M. Van Kleeck; Robert Van
Kleeck; John H. Van Kleeck; Mrs. Susan B. Van Vliet;
Miss Mary Vredenburgh.
W. Mrs. Ellen 'VSTiiten; Robert F. Wilkinson; James L.
Williams; JohnWirsch; Henry Wood; George Wood.
Y. Mrs. Julia G.Yelverton; Henry L. Young.
Of the total disbursements by the building com-
mittee some of the principal items were :
Preparation of the site $ 764 . 16
Architect 3,745 . OO
Contractor 71,300.57
Steam heater 2,200.00
Temporary windows 774 . 73
Removing human remains from old churchyard 555 . 27
The property on Market street was sold^ October 10th,
1888, for $8,000.00 to Dutchess County, the money being
applied to the building fund. A plot in the northern
end of the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery was purchased,
and the bodies in the old churchyard carefully removed
1 Dutchess County Clerk's records, deeds, Liber 238, p. 356.
247
The Records ofChrist Church
thither, with their ancient headstones. Another plot
in the Rural Cemetery, owned by the Church, was ac-
quired in 1868,1 after the vestry had prohibited inter-
ments in the poor lot in the English burying -ground,
and, on this, the children of the Sunday School now place
a cross of flowers at Easter.
The corner-stone of the new church was laid on Sep-
tember 25th, 1887, by the Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, in
the presence of a concourse of several thousand people.
A leaden box, deposited in the cavity of the stone,
contained:
A Bible, Prayer Book and Hymnal ; silver and copper coins,
all dated 1887; the Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of
New York, 1886; copy of invitation to the ceremony and of the
order of service; leaflet, containing the revised services of the
Episcopal Church; copy of the charter of 1773; copy of the
historical address, read by the Rector on this occasion; list of
parishioners, and of all who contributed to the building fund;
photographs of the old church, and of proposed plans for the
new; Church almanac for 1887; copies of all daily and weekly
papers in the city, and of Church newspapers; names of the
architect and builders of the church; ancient coins, presented
by Mrs. Albert Tower and Mrs. Robert F. Crary.
When the Market street church was razed, the corner-
stone was found with some difficulty. Its entire pre-
served contents consisted of four coins, dated 1833, a
Pine Tree shiUing, dated 1652, and a silver plate, marked
*' Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, John Reed, Rector.
Presented by Bowler & Ward 1833." In 1892 these
were placed in a pocket above, and resting upon, the
corner-stone of the present church.
On Sunday, May 6th, 1888, the last service was held
in the old church, and, on Sunday, May 13th, the first
1 Ledger E, p. 43.
248
THE CORNER-STONE AND MAIN ENTRANCE
OF THE PRESENT CHURCH
Copyright, 1910. Frank B. Howard
mmmm^^ji^^^^fSMmft,.
The Records ofChrist Church
in the new. The former occasion was, of course, tinged
with the sadness caused by the sundering of the associa-
tions of many years, but the latter pulsated with the
hope and the largeness of spirit which Dr. Ziegenfuss had
inspired by his attitude toward the new chapter in their
life that his people were beginning. His breadth of
sympathy and his conception of what this Church should
mean to Poughkeepsie are illustrated in his sermon that
opening day, in which he said:^
Yes, this is Christ Church; let us never forget that. Him,
alone, do we acknowledge as our spiritual head and guide.
When yonder Table is spread, a broad invitation is given that
shuts out not one sincere follower of our common Master ; it
is the Lord's Supper. And let me here say, once for all, you
come there not of sufferance, nor of grudging hospitality, but
our hearts go out to meet yours and bid you welcome, be you
Greek Churchman, Catholic, or Protestant, — of whatsoever
affiliation you please.
God grant that, in this new temple, renewed life may be
ours; that we may have a rich measure of the spirit of Christ;
that, in kindliness of disposition, in earnestness of purpose,
in unreservedness of beneficence, and unfalteringly of faith
unto the end, a vivid vision of the Divine One may ever be
before our eyes, and that, humbly and prayerfully, we may
daily endeavor ourselves to follow in the blessed footsteps
of His most holy life.
The church was consecrated Tuesday, May 15th, 1888,
by Bishop Potter, the event being marked by dignified
ceremonial, and a congregation which filled the building.
The procession entered in the order of the wardens and
vestrymen; a full representation of the Denominational
ministry of Poughkeepsie ; candidates for Orders;
Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. The sermon was by the
Rt. Rev. John Scarborough, and the Holy Communion
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, May 14th, 1888.
249
The Records ofChrist Church
was celebrated by Bishop Potter, assisted by Bishop
Scarborough and the Rev. W. E. Snowden and the Rev.
Henry L. Ziegenfuss.
For lack of a parish building, it was necessary that the
luncheon for the guests, on the day of the consecration,
should be served in the rooms of the Young Women's
Christian Association. During the following year — 1889
— the present parish house was erected, at a cost of
nearly fifteen thousand dollars.^ Mr. Potter was again
the architect, and Mertz & Son the contractors.
In the same year that the parish house was built, the
tower was added to the church, given entirely by Mr.
Albert Tower, at an expense of about thirty thousand
dollars.^ The vestry of the Church, in 1901, placed
upon the tower a tablet, bearing an inscription that was
written by Bishop Potter, and which reads :
To the Glory of God and in Memory of
Albert Tower a Just Man and the
Generous Benefactor of this Parish
With the opening of the new church, the music was
made a special feature of its services. At the suggestion
of the architect, a vested choir of men and boys^ was
established, which was organized and drilled by Mr.
George W. Halliwell, the first choirmaster. The sing-
ing of the Te Deum and of the Gloria Patri had been
introduced by the Rev. Homer Wheaton, and of the
Kyrie Eleison by the Rev. Dr. Buel. Now, Dr. Ziegen-
fuss began the intoning of the Tersanctus, and the sound
1 Parochial Report, Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of
New York, 1889.
2 Parochial Report, Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of
New York, 1889.
3 Women were added to the vested choir in May, 1893, when
Edward W. Valentine became choirmaster.
250
THE TOWER
Erected 1889
The Gift of Mr. Albert Tower
Copyright. 1910. Frank B. Howard
The Records of Christ Church
of his rich,deep voice, as he rendered those solemn words,
still rings in the ears of some who heard it, on whom it
made an ineffaceable impression.
A new organ was installed within a few weeks after the
church was opened, which was made by J. H. & C. S.
Odell of New York, and which is considered an excep-
tionally satisfactory instrument; it is a three manual, of
one thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight pipes.
The purchase price was $6,000.00, less $800.00 allowed
for the old organ; about $3,100.00 was paid toward it
from the general treasury, and $2,105.00 was contributed
in individual subscriptions by:
B. John Bayer.
C. Dr. Walter R. Case; George Cornwell.
D. Roland R. Dennis; Le Grand Dodge; Augustus Doughty;
J. De Puyster Douw.
F. A Fair, held by the Ladies' Aid Society.
G. William Gibson.
H. Mrs. Adolphus Hamilton; Miss Edith Hamilton; Mrs.
Mary C. Hulme.
K. Dr. John Kinkead.
M. Edward T. Mason.
N. Mrs. Cornelia M. Nelson.
O. Dr. John C. Otis.
P. Dr. Edward H. Parker.
S. i Horace Sague; P. Frost Spaulding.
T. Mrs. Hudson Taylor; Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney; Miss
Elizabeth Thomas; Mrs. John Thompson; John J.
Thompson; Joseph T. Tower.
V. Robert Van Kleeck.
W. James L. Williams; Mrs. Wiltsie.
Y. Mrs. Julia Yelverton.
The Altar put in the church was considered a tempo-
rary one, only. The architect's plans called for a carved
251
The Records of C hr i s t Church
stone Altar and reredos, which were to be procured as
soon as possible after the necessary building expenses
had been met, and Dr. Ziegenfuss instructed the Ladies*
Aid Society to select as simple and inexpensive a wooden
Altar as they could, which would be suitable for the short
time it was expected to be used; but, in the combination
of adverse circumstances, which soon succeeded the
erection of the church, the proper finishing of the
sanctuary was lost sight of. After Dr. Ziegenfuss's
death, the vestry approved a proposal to carry out the
original plan as a memorial to him, but the confusion,
into which the people had been thrown, retarded the
progress of the movement. It is much to be hoped that
chancel furnishings, adequate to the size and dignity of
the building, and sacred to the memory of the Rector so
much loved, may yet be realized.
When the congregation began its occupation of the
beautiful church so joyfully, there was no thought that
the stately services of the laying of the corner-stone, and
of the consecration, would, in six years, be followed by
impressive obsequies for the Rector of the parish. Dr.
Ziegenfuss was elected Archdeacon of Dutchess in 1886,
and the unwearied care he gave to the missionary work
in the county was contemporaneous with his active labor
in the building of the church, these both being supple-
mented by his anxieties when the mortgage was incurred.
There can be no doubt that he was overtaxed by the
demands upon him, and was rendered unable to with-
stand the strain of the illness which came to him, and
from which he died on February 8th, 1894. But his
place in the diocese, in the county, in the city and in the
parish, and his hold upon the hearts of men, were attested
by the number of those who came to the funeral service,
252
INTERIOR OF THE PRESENT CHURCH
From a photograph taken in 1910
Copyright, 1910, Frank B. Howard
\^
The Records oj Christ Church
held in the church on February 12th. A vast congrega-
tion, of every Church and no Church, filled even the
aisles, and many were turned from the door; Roman
Catholic Priests and Protestant Ministers of Poughkeep-
sie, and about forty clergy of the Archdeaconry and of the
Diocese were present. Bishop Potter's address, the
delivery of which was made faltering by his emotion,
included these words :^
Coming here, under all the embarrassments of previous re-
lationships,' he (Dr. Ziegenfuss) steadily grew in his influence
as a man, as a teacher and as a preacher of Jesus Christ.
There is no relationship that binds one so closely as the
relationship of a pastor to his people. This man was your
minister; he went in and out of your homes, spoke words
of life and hope to you, a true consoler in time of sorrow, a
priest of immortal life.
This church, which has been his delight, will be his
most appropriate monument. I shall always think of it, beau-
tiful as it is, as peculiarly characteristic of him.
The recently created Church division, the arch-diaconate,
which had been the subject of controversy, he did more than
any other man to make successful and useful by his loving care
for neighboring Churches. He took it out of the realm of con-
troversy, and made it a vital work. When men came to us in
derision and asked: "What is an Archdeacon?," — we had but
to point to his work. His heart was like a great arch, sustain-
ing and upholding the new office.
My lips are sealed as to my personal relations with him, but
I must speak of his loyalty, his watchful care over the interests
of the northern part of the diocese, always trying to save me
care and work. He did what he could to bring men closer
together. People, of whatever fellowship, found in him some-
thing to attract them. He believed that God has some com-
mon sta,nding ground for all, that all men are brothers. Nev-
er ostentatious in his self-sacrifice, steadfast in his Christian
discipleship, blessed be God for such a hfe! May He give
you and me grace to reproduce it as we can!
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, February 13th, 1894.
253
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Dr. Ziegenfuss's death left the parish in the trough of
the wave, and the Rectorship of it one fraught with the
burden of many compHcations. To this difficult post
was summoned the Rev. Samuel A. Weikert, and he
brought to it earnestness of purpose, Christian good will,
and faithful work, but his incumbency was comparatively
short, being soon terminated by a call to St. Mark's
Church, Paterson, New Jersey.
In the vacancy created by Mr. Weikert's resignation,
the vestry applied to the Bishop of the Diocese for
guidance, who responded by appointing his brother, the
Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott Potter, as Minister in Charge
of the parish.
Dr. Potter filled the position for nine months, and,
after his death in 1901, the Bishop placed a tablet to his
memory on the wall of the ambulatory in Christ Church.
This choice of location was the occasion for a character-
istic bon mot from the Bishop. "It is singularly appro-
priate," said he, "that a tablet should be placed to the
memory of my brother, 'Liph, in that particular spot.
You know his tenure of office was transitory, and the
tablet should therefore be in the ambulatory."
Not long before the new Christ Church was built,
great economic changes had begun in the United States,
and, as time went on, these made themselves deeply felt
in their effect upon the religious world. The appearance
of factories in countless numbers, the rise of so-called
swollen fortunes, the inpouring of armies of emigrants of
all nationalities, the desertion of the country for the city,
congested population in the larger centers, the invention
of new facilities for communication, rapid transit,
changed standards of living, increased scale of expendi-
ture, and the spirit of materialism which spread abroad,
254
THE REV. SAMUEL A. WEIKERT. A.M.
Rector of Christ Church, 1894-1900
From a photograph taken during his incumbency
The Records ojChrist Church
all these contributing causes combined to present to the
Christian Church a problem difficult of solution. How
were men to be reached with the Gospel of Christ in this
new dispensation?
One method developed was the institutional Church,
and, scattered over the land, are many parishes which
have done magnificent work by their guilds and clubs,
trade schools, etc. It is beginning to be pointed out,
however, that where the Church endeavors to reach the
masses only by offering such inducements as do benevo-
lent and benefit organizations, and neglects to emphasize
her divine origin and spiritual mission, the masses may
well say, 'why not one club as well as another?' Here
and there, a voice is raised of late in warning, saying that
sociology must not be substituted for religion, and that,
only as the Church is true to her primary function of
inspiring the souls of men, will her hold be lasting; that,
as an institution, the Church cannot attempt to purify
pohtics and eradicate social evils, but that, by regener-
ating the hearts and lives of her individual members,
she may send forth men and women armed and equipped
for the battle for righteousness, who yet renew their
strength steadily through her sacraments and her wor-
ship.
Much is being said just now of a desire for Christian
unity. Whether, or not, the day is still distant when
many men of many minds shall agree as to doctrine,
organization, and forms of worship, it is surely a truth
that the social needs of the present offer to Christian
people a limitless field in which to unite to do Christ's
work in Christ's spirit. Were all who acknowledge His
leadership to cooperate, fraternally, in philanthropy and
social service, an essential unity would have been gained;
255
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its moral influence would be evident in reform legislation,
in honesty in business and politics, in the protection of
childhood and womanhood, in more hospitals and more
playgrounds, and in organized charities, while non-
Christians would see the divided body of the Church in
a new and happier light.
Under the pressure of these modern conditions, the
Rev. Alexander G. Cummins, on December 2d, 1900,
began his rectorate of Christ Church, and, because of all
that he has done for the parish, and the much that he has
accomplished, the vestry are marking his tenth anni-
versary with the publication of this volume. Ten years
ago, when he was instituted, there were not only the
extraneous social and economic circumstances crowding
for consideration, but the immediate parochial situation
was one that held its particular perplexities, and the first
duty was to set our own house in order. With vigor and
resolution the Rector assumed the task, and has exerted
an energizing influence in the execution of it. He has
assembled about him those who were specially qualified
for special work, but it is through him that opportunity
for specialized work has been afforded, and it is to him
that a large part of the success of it is to be attributed.
Dr. Cummins 's ability to organize and systematize is
shown in the state of the congregation, its guilds, and its
business affairs, all machinery of the parish having been
brought into smoothly running order.
The services of the Church, as conducted by Dr.
Cummins, are dignified, orderly and rich, his own polish-
ed reading and the excellence of the choir raising them
far above the ordinary level.
Prior to his rectorate, and in the period considered
in this chapter, there were two special services which
256
THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
May 29th, 1910
■DesmttBsa
The Records ojChrist Church
should be recorded, one on September 26th, 1881, when
the three parishes of the city united in Christ Church
in a memorial to President Garfield, ^ and the other on
December 21st, 1891,^ when the parish celebrated its
one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary. In the
present administration a special service in memory of
President McKinley was held on September 19th, 1901;
one in hospitahty to the Grand Army of the Republic
took place on May 24th, 1908; and, on October 3d,
1909, the Hudson-Fulton anniversaries were suitably
observed. Of special services, more closely related to
the Church itself. Dr. Cummins has introduced several
which have become annual customs, — the Harvest
Home at Thanksgiving, Manger at Christmas, Palm in
Holy Week and an out-of-door memorial in Ascension-
Tide. In 1909 the custom of out-of-door popular serv-
ices on Sunday afternoons in September was begun.
During Dr. Cummins's incumbency a great impetus
has been given to the development of the music, credit
for which is to be shared with him by the choirmaster,
Edward W. Valentine, and by the organist, Harry S.
Bock, who, as devoted communicants, have always had be-
fore them the ideal of a "service," not of a "performance."
Of the regular choir, the Bishop of the Diocese, the Rt.
Rev. David H. Greer, has twice said, in his visits to
Christ Church, that it was, to him, more like his dearly
loved choir of St. Bartholomew's, New York City, than
any choir he heard as he went about the diocese; higher
praise than which, Bishop Greer could not give.
From the time that a vested choir was formed, one of
its best friends among the laity was the late Putnam
1 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, Sept. 27th, 1881.
2 The Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, for Dec. 22nd, 1891,
257
The Records ofChrist Church
Frost Spaulding, who ever did all in his power to pro-
mote its efficiency, and provide for its support. Since
his death, in 1908, his son, Mr. Arthur Frost Spaulding,
has added to the endowment of the Church a music fund,
known as the P. Frost Spaulding Memorial, as a peculiar-
ly suitable tribute to his father. Mr. Spaulding was a
layman of rare calibre, who loved the Church with both
tenderness and strength; he considered it a privilege to
minister to its needs, and was happy in serving it at
every opportunity in a spirit of devotion to all for which
it stands.
Beside the regular choir, a festival choir was organiz-
ed in the autumn of 1901, its membership drawn from
many of the choirs and the musical clubs of Poughkeep-
sie. The festival choir amounts, practically, to an
oratorio society, by which two oratorios are given each
year. Until 1909 its expenses were borne by the Church,
from the general treasury, but the oratorios have now
been placed upon a subscription basis.
Although they attract enormous congregations, the
parish may be acquitted of all self-interest in promoting
the oratorios, for analysis of confirmation classes and of
pew rentals discloses that gains to the Church cannot
be traced to musical services. Crowds of people pass
in and out of the doors on these occasions, and many
doubtless receive uplift and comfort from the artistic
rendition of great compositions, but still, as of old, it is
by pastoral visitation, consecrated lay work, the Prayer
Book services, and the instruction in the Sunday School
that candidates for confirmation are won. Dr. Cum-
mins's ten confirmation classes have averaged in member-
ship thirty-six candidates a year, three hundred and
fifty-six persons having been confirmed from 1901 to 1910.
258
OUT-OF-DOOR POPULAR SERVICE
Sunday, October 2d, 1910
"^V
The Records of Christ Church
The Sunday School of Christ Church is today in
excellent condition, numerically strong, and doing a far
reaching practical work, not only among children whose
families are identified with the parish, but for many
whose parents have no religious affiliations at all. A
paid staff of trained teachers is employed, and the school
is graded in conformity to the public school system of the
city; its growth is so rapid that it is hampered for lack
of room, every available bit of space in the parish house
and in the church overflowing with classes.
While through the Sunday School many children, and
adults as well, are led to form an attachment to the
Church, large numbers of people are also reached by a
parish paper, Christ Church Chronicle, which was
started by Dr. Cummins at the beginning of his rector-
ate, and is now in its eleventh volume. Beside pro-
viding a record of current parochial events, the paper is
used as a medium for the discussion of the more import-
ant public matters that arise from time to time; it is
aimed to edit it in a broad spirit, and to disseminate
through it liberal teachings upon present day problems.
Under Dr. Cummins, and largely owing to his interest
in it, the real property of the Corporation has been put
into remarkable condition. The first important step
toward this was the erection in 1903 of the Albert Tower,
Jr., Memorial Rectory, given by A. Edward Tower. The
architect, Charles A. Rich, designed a house with Tudor
characteristics, which is in satisfying harmony with the
architecture of the church. A large cast of a Madonna
and Child, by Michael Angelo, over the mantel in the hall
of the rectory, was presented by Mr. Rich, while another
gift for the house was a maintenance fund of five hundred
dollars, from Mrs. Martha Barnard Jones. At the same
259
The Records of Chr i s t Church
time that the rectory was built, the congregation connect-
ed it with the study and parish house by a cloister
costing about twelve hundred dollars.^
The open square about the church has been beautified
by the treatment of the trees, by many gifts of shrubs
and plants, by new paths and drives, and by such con-
stant care for its needs that it is now a spot of which the
whole city may well feel proud.
In 1906 Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham completely
renovated and restored the church and parish house,
which had received no repairs since their erection, al-
though in constant use for eighteen years. So extensive
in detail was Mrs. Buckingham's benefaction, that it has
been entered in full as a section of the Appendix to this
volume. Her more than generous expenditure of money
has been made unique by the addition of her personal
service, and the property has been brought into such
order by what she has done for it, that, upon its repair,
sanitary condition and general equipment, no criticism
could be passed.
Mrs. Buckingham's liberality has meant more to the
parish than those things which meet the eye. It lifted
from the congregation a material burden which had
threatened to diminish its spiritual capacity, for it was
property poor, and this handicap was dulling its percep-
tion of its obligations of another sort.
In the century of construction that began with Dr.
1 The parish was without a rectory from 1880 to 1903. Dr.
Ziegenfuss boarded at No. 61 Market street (next the church), at
No. 58 Market (the former Ruggles-Hooker home), and at the Nelson
House, and, in 1890, occupied No. 2 Eastman Terrace. Mr. Weikert
lived in No. 299 Church street, No. 102 Academy and No. 50 Mont-
gomery. Mr. Cummins rented, first, No. 21 Carroll street, and later
boarded at the Morgan House.
260
THE ALBERT TOWER, Jr., MEMORIAL RECTORY
Erected 1903
The Gift of Mr. A. Edward Tower
I
The Records ofChrist Church
Reed's arrival in 1810, Christ Church has been sympa-
thetically receptive of successive developments in the-
ology and Churchmanship, in ritual and vestments, and
in methods of work; the energy of its members planted
St. Paul's Church and the Church of the Holy Comforter,
Poughkeepsie; for forty years it conducted a free school;
it shared in the foundation and support of a free hospital ;
and its parochial ministrations are hallowed by tender
and gracious memories. The weak spot in its record is
the limited assistance it has given to the cause of foreign
missions, the original source of- which defect has been
described in preceding pages. ^
Today, it finds itself in the midst of changes taking
place at large and locally, and, alive to its duties and its
privileges, is doing all that in it lies to adapt itself to its
environment. The Rector and congregation are at one
in the belief that this church building, which they have
inherited from the last generation, should be occupied
by them as a sacred trust for the people of Poughkeepsie.
Qualified by its size, its beauty, its location and its
surroundings for a wide ministry, they would make of it
a Church home for the unchurched. With no intention
of proselyting, they are yet striving to practice a Chris-
tian democracy, one evidence of which is the number of
popular services provided each year, at which parochial
lines are obliterated. To transcend sectarianism, to
deliver a vital message, and to "act in the living Present,'*
is the standard the parish has set for itself.
With enthusiasm renewed and strengthened, this
Church is engaged in a growing work, but it still remains
for provision to be made for her permanent usefulness.
It is impossible for us, in 1910, to foretell what obstacles
1 See above, pp. 137, 174, 179.
261
The Records oj Christ Church
might obstruct her progress fifty years hence; a half
century may shift the center of the best residence section
of the city, which the church now occupies; it will have
altered the character of the population, if signs already
visible fail not; it will undoubtedly produce social and
economic features different from those of our own time.
Only a sufficient endowment can assure to the parish an
indefinite continuance of her activity.
In the hearts of those who love Christ Church, is the
earnest wish that she may long be an instrument in
God's hands for good; that from her sanctuary may
radiate the spiritual influence of a faith which shall rest
men's souls in Him; and that, in her works, she may be
glorified by that righteousness which is synonymous
with Life.
"Glory of warrior, glory of orator, glory of song,
Paid with a voice flying by to be lost on an endless sea —
Glory of Virtue, to fight, to struggle, to right the wrong —
Nay, but she aim'd not at glory, no lover of glory she:
Give her the glory of going on, and stiU to be."
262
BIOGRAPHIES
OF
The Rectors of the Parish,
Assistants, Curates and
Ministers in Charge.
1
SAMUEL SEABURY, A.M.
Missionary to Dutchess County 1756-1764
From the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts
An account of the life and labors of the Rev. Samuel Seabury,
Missionary to Dutchess County, properly precedes the biographies of
the Rectors of Christ Church.
He was born in 1706, at Groton (now Ledyard), Connecticut, and
when fourteen years old entered Yale CoUege. While he was stUl an
undergraduate, much confusion and excitement was created in the
college, and in the coiomunity at large, by President Cutler's an-
noimcement that he had renounced his former Puritan form of belief
and become a convert to Episcopacy. To prevent the interruption
to his studies which this great upheaval would have caused, young
Seabury transferred himself from Yale to Harvard, where he was
graduated in 1724, and whence he received his degree of A.M. three
years later.
About 1727 he married Abigail Mumford of New London, and, for a
time, before and after his marriage, officiated as a licensed preacher
among the Connecticut Congregationalists. But, his wife being a
relative of the noted Dr. McSparran of Narragansett, Rhode Island,
Mr. Seabury's attention was again called to Church subjects, with the
result that he determined to be Episcopally ordained.
Li the spring of 1730 he went to England with letters of recommen-
dation to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel from the Rector
of Christ Church, Boston, and from Dr. McSparran. He was made
Deacon and Priest soon after his arrival, and returned at once after
his ordination to Connecticut, reaching New London December 9th,
and, shortly after, taking charge of St. James's Church of that place.
He was Rector of St. James's until December, 1742, when he accepted
a call to St. George's, Hempstead, Long Island. From Hempstead he
extended his ministry to Oyster Bay, Huntington, and the countryside
adjacent, in itinerant form, and, from 1755 to 1762, made several jour-
neys on horseback to Dutchess County. In 1756 the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel appointed him its Missionary to Dutchess
Coimty, and he held that office till his death in 1764.
265
The Records ofChrist Church
A description of Mr. Seabury's personal appearance was handed
down by John Bedel, senior warden of St. George's, Hempstead
(born 1771, died 1863), whose father (one of Mr. Seabury's parishion-
ers) had given the same to him, Mr. Bedel said: — "My father de-
scribed him to me, as, seated on a strong sorrel horse, he made his way
to Oyster Bay and Huntington, with his saddle-bags strapped to his
saddle. He was strongly built, but not tall, and he had a countenance
which was intelligent and kindly, and showed decision and firmness.
He wore a three cornered hat, and small clothes and top boots."
But, more illuminative of Mr. Seabury's personality than this, is a
clause in the epitaph upon the stone at his grave in St. George's
churchyard. After reciting certain biographical details, the inscrip-
tion states that, "in gratitude to the memory of the best of husbands,
His disconsolate widow, Elizabeth Seabury, Hath placed this stone."
Many a man has been a success in his official career, who could not have
been a comfortable household companion, and, to the reader one hun-
dred and fifty years later, a very human quality is given the otherwise
shadowy figure of this colonial clergyman, by the knowledge that he
was not only an indefatigable worker and missionary, but a man, who,
in his home relations, won the tenderest affection.
His widow, who thus bore testimony to his personal character, was
his second wife. His first wife, Abigail Mumford (the mother of
Samuel Seabury, 2d, who became the Bishop of Connecticut), died in
1731, and in 1733 he married Elizabeth Powell of Newport, Rhode
Island, who survived him many years.
Mr. Seabury died in 1764 after a protracted illness, during which
he went to England for treatment. The New York Post Boy re-
ferred to his death, saying, "Rev. Mr. Seabury died of a nervous dis-
order and an imposthume in his side, June 15, 1764, aged 58; a gentle-
man of amiable, exemplary character, greatly and generally beloved
and lamented."
AUTHORITIES
Beardsley's History of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Vol.
1, p. 86.
Anderson's Church of England in the Colonies, Vol. 3, p. 426.
Moore's History of St. George's Church, Hempstead, pp. 80-106.
266
The Records ofChrist Church
JOHN BEARDSLEY, A.M.
Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie
AND OF Trinity Church, Fishkill
December 21st, 176G, — July 13th, 1776
John Beardsley was born April 23d, 1732, at Ripton (now Hunting-
ton), in Fairfield County, Connecticut, a few miles from Stratford.
He was baptized in infancy by the Rev. Samuel Johnson, Rector of
Clirist Church, Stratford, who exerted a leading influence over him, as
he grew older, in shaping his career.
He prepared for college, and entered Yale at first, but, after two years,
withdrew to King's, New York, of which Dr. Johnson was President,
and where he should have graduated with the class of 1761.
Having decided, however, to take Holy Orders, he did not wait for
commencement, but in the spring of 1761, in company with Thomas
Davies and Samuel Andrews, he sailed for England. An honorary
B. A. was conferred upon him by the college, when his class graduated
in his absence. He received his degree of Master of Arts from King's
in 1768, after he had been some years in the ministry.
Meanwliile, in 1760, the people of Christ Church, Norwich, had,
by subscription, raised the money for his journey to England, and made
an agreement with him, that, upon his return, after having been or-
dained, he should become their minister. He had already "read
prayers and sermons at Norwich and Groton," and was well known by
the Rev. Mr. Punderson, Rector of Trinity Church, New Haven (who,
some years before, had been Rector at Norwich and Groton), and who
wrote to the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, recom-
mending Mr. Beardsley for the mission.
At Lambeth, on August 23d, 1761, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Dr. Thomas Seeker, ordained Mr. Beardsley, Mr. Davies and Mr.
Andrews to the Diaconate and, the following day, to the Priesthood.
It is one of the coincidences, linking together men and events, that the
descendants of the Rev. Thomas Davies should, in later j^ears, have
been such earnest workers in Mr. Beardsley's parish at Poughkeepsie.
Returning from England early in 1762, Mr. Beardsley entered upon
his Connecticut charge. This consisted of Christ Church, Norwich,
and St. James's, Poquetanuck village, in what is now the township of
Ledyard, but was then in the township of Groton, a little south of
Norwich. Here Mr. Beardsley spent about four years, removing in
1766 to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where, for ten years, he ministered to
Christ Church and to Trinity Church, Fishkill.
267
The Records oj Christ Church
His well known Tory sympathies, in the early days of the War of the
Revolution, provoked an order from the Council of Safety of New York
for his removal to New York City, then in the hands of the British,
and, December 13th, 1777, this removal took place.
He became Chaplain of Beverly Robinson's "Loyal American Regi-
ment," the muster rolls of which are in the possession of his great-great-
grandson, the Rev. W. O. Raymond, LL.D., Rector of St. Mary's
Church, St, John, New Brunswick. Dr. Raymond has much family
information and manuscript data regarding Mr. Beardsley, and to him
is due most cordial acknowledgment for valuable letters and for inter-
est in this present work.
At the close of the Revolutionary War a great exodus of Loyalists
took place to Canada. Five thousand of them, in the summer of 1783,
were gathered on the bleak, bare rocks at the mouth of the St. John
River, sheltered only by tents or the merest huts, on the spot where
they were to buUd the city of St. John.
It is here, among these homeless ones, we next find John Beardsley
resuming the work of the ministry. He was the first clergyman to
oflBciate at St. John, and, in that first year of the exile, he frequently
visited the settlers at Kingston also.
Late in 1784, he accepted the Rectorship of Christ Church, Mauger-
ville. New Brunswick, in which he continued eighteen years. He was
also Chaplain, 1793-1802, of the King's New Brunswick Regiment.
Although a man of fifty when this new chapter in his life opened, he
threw himself with a fresh baptism of enthusiasm into the exigencies
of the situation. He not only fulfilled his ftmctions as a missionary,
caring for the congregation under his immediate charge and making
diflficult journeys into- the interior to preach and to baptize, but he
worked laboriously as a frontiersman, helping the colony to establish
living conditions for itself in its new abode.
Mr. Beardsley's distinctive personal traits are well illustrated in
this period, as also in the years in which he was organizing the mission
in Dutchess County, New York. Beyond all question, he was a
man of great energy and industry, of persistency and of a spirit un-
daunted by obstacles. He was strong-willed and always determined
to carry his own point, — sometimes without regard to the injustice
this might work. It is a pity that his management of the business
matters connected with the glebe and charter at Poughkeepsie was
so lacking in clearness and accuracy as to have created a cloud of
uncertainty which it is now impossible entirely to dispel.
The force and intensity of his personality must have found agreeable
expression in the main, for, while he was resident at Poughkeepsie, it is
268
The Records ojChrist Church
evident that his personal popularity and influence extended quite
widely in the community, beyond the limits of his own congregation.
He was a prominent and active Free Mason, organizing the first Ma-
sonic Lodge in New Brunswick, of which he became Worthy Master,
and having been Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New
York.
September 8th, 1798, Mr. Beardsley wrote from Maugerville to John
Davis at Poughkeepsie, — "As my Children are desirous to have my old
picture I must request you to Send it with ye maps, if they can be
conveniently put up in a box together." Nothing is known in New
Brunswick of this, or any other, likeness of Mr. Beardsley, diligent
enquiry for one having been made among his descendants.
Of Mr. Beardsley in his private life, his descendant. Dr. Raymond,
has said that he was "evidently a firm behever in the fact that 'It is
not good for man to be alone;' " he is known to have married four times,
and there is ground for thinking there was a fifth venture, though date
and place of ceremonj^ are wanting.
His first wife, Sylvia, was a daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Punder-
son, his predecessor at Norwich and Groton. She died soon after they
settled at Poughkeepsie. He then married (at a date prior to Feb-
ruary 12th, 1775, when the parish register of Christ Church mentions
"Gertrude Beardsley" as sponsor at a baptism) Gertrude, daughter
of Bartholomew Crannell of Poughkeepsie. Whether she lived to
accompany him and her father to Canada in 1783, is not known; but,
February 6th, 1786, John Beardsley and "vnfe, Anna," conveyed land
at St. John, as shown by a deed on file. June 11th, 1800, at Gagetown,
New Brunswick, Mr. Beardsley married for his fourth wife, Mary
Quain, a widow.
The later years of his life, after giving up his Church at Maugerville
in 1802, he spent at Kingston, New Brunswick, being granted a pension
by the British Government.
In 1805, he made the then fatiguing journey from Kingston to Pough-
keepsie, although seventy-three years old; and, at Poughkeepsie, he
conducted his own negotiations with the vestry for the settlement of
his claim to a title to part of the original glebe.
Mr. Beardsley died on the anniversary of his birthday, April 23d,
in 1809, aged seventy-seven years. His body was interred beneath
the chancel of Trinity Church, Kingston.
Two sons survived him. The elder, John Davis Beardsley, born at
Poughkeepsie, February 4th, 1771 (the child of his first wife, and the
namesake of a member of the vestry of Christ Church), died at Wood-
269
The Records of Christ Church
stock, New Brunswick, in 1852, leaving many descendants living in
the valley of the St. John River.
His younger son, Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley, was born at
Poughkeepsie, October 21st, 1775, and named for his maternal grand-
father. Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley was a distinguished Cana"
dian lawyer, and a member of several Provincial Assemblies; he died
in 1855, and, like his brother, has, today, numerous descendants in New
Brimswick, of well-known position.
AUTHORITIES
Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 1, p. 207.
Records of Columbia University.
Beardsley's History of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Vol. 1,
p. 204.
Jarvis's Church Life in Colonial Connecticut, pp. 41-52, 101-
102, 175.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Minutes of the Council of Safety of New York.
Sabine's American Loyalists, p. 153.
Kingston and the Loyalists of 1783, by Walter Bates. Edited by
the Rev. W. O. Raymond, St. John, 1889.
Private papers of the Rev. W. O. Raymond, LL.D., St. John, N. B
HENRY VAN DYCK, A.M., D.D.
Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie
AND OF Trinity Church, Fishkill
May 27th, 1787,— April 10th, 1791
On the 3d of August, 1785, the first ordination by a Bishop within
the limits of the United States was held at Middletown, Connecticut.
The Right Reverend Samuel Seabury, first Bishop of Connecticut,
had, in June preceding, returned to America from Scotland, after having
been consecrated at Aberdeen by Scotch nonjuring Bishops, on
November 14th, 1784.
Four candidates for Holy Orders presented themselves before Bishop
Seabury at Middletown. One of these (he whose name stands first on
the list) became, soon after. Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Henry Van Dyck was born in 1744 in New York City. After grad-
uating from King's College in the class of 1761, he studied law, and in
1764 received his Master's degree from his Alma Mater.
270
The Records oj Christ Church
In establishing himself in the practice of his profession he removed
to Stratford, Connecticut, where, August 9th, 1767, he married Huldah
Lewis. A month after their marriage he and his wife became com-
municants in Christ Church, Stratford, whose Rector, the Rev. Dr.
Samuel Johnson, had been President of King's College when Mr. Van
Dyck was a student there.
Until about the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Mr.
Van Dyck continued his practice of law, although not with financial
success. His interest in the Church increasing, he began to serve as a
lay reader, being mentioned in that capacity at Milford in 1776. Dur-
ing the war his residence and occupation are somewhat uncertain, but,
in 1784, the year after peace was declared, he visited Poughkeepsie,
held service in Christ Church, and entered into negotiations with the
vestry regarding the Rectorship of the parish.
Having been ordained Deacon by Bishop Seabury, at Middletown,
August 3d, 1785, and, on September 16th following, having been ad-
mitted to Priest's Orders also, he was about to enter upon the charge of
the Poughkeepsie and Fishkill congregations, when difficulty arose over
the so-called Trespass Act of New York State. Mr. Van Dyck was in
debt to a man named Arden of New York City, who pressed his claim
and invoked the above law in his behalf. By means of this, should Mr.
Van Dyck become a resident within the state, Arden could cause his
arrest and imprisonment. A tedious delay followed, which ultimately
was terminated when the New York laws were amended; under which
change in the code, and through the good offices of the vestry of Christ
Church and of the Hon. Egbert Benson (former Attorney-General) , a
settlement was effected with the creditor.
This delay lasted, however, from the summer of 1785 to the spring of
1787, in which interval Mr. Van Dyck accepted the care of the Churches
in Milford and West Haven, Connecticut, and was in residence at Mil-
ford from May, 1786. At the end of a year in this charge, he came to
Poughkeepsie and took up the joint Rectorship of Christ Church and
of Trinity, Fishkill, on Whitsunday (May 27th), 1787. The call
extended to him provided that he should divide his labors equally be-
tween the two parishes.
He remained at Poughkeepsie until April 10th, 1791, when he
preached his farewell sermon before removing to Perth Amboy, New
Jersey. There he succeeded the Rev. George H. Spierin as Rector of
St. Peter's, at the same time having Christ Church, New Brunswick,
in his care.
The year of this settlement, 1791, he was made a Trustee of Queen'vS
(now Rutgers) College, New Brunswick, continuing on the Board until
271
The Records ojChrist Church
his death. Queen's conferred upon him in 1792 the degree of Doctor
of Divinity.
In July, 1793, he accepted the Rectorship of St. Mary's Church,
Burlington, but in 1797 went to St. James's Church, Newtown, Long
Island.
While he was in Bm-Ungton the death of his mother, who had long
made her home with him, occurred, and, also, in that short period, he
lost two daughters.
His Rectorship at Newtown was his last; he held it for five years,
having no settled parish from 1802 until his death in 1804.
The New York Evening Post of September 17th, 1804, published
the following obituary of Dr. Van Dyck:
Died, early this morning, the Rev. Henry Van Dyck, aged
sixty, one of the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
and formerly rector of St. James' Church, Newtown.
He was possessed of an affectionate heart and excellent
understanding. He discharged with zeal, fidelity and ability,
the duties of his, calling. In private Ufe he was esteemed by
ah to whom he was known.
Funeral this afternoon at five o'clock from his house, No. 4
Cedar street. New York, where his friends and acquaintances
are invited to attend.
The parochial manuscripts of Christ Church show that Dr. Van
Dyck was a man of education and abiUty. His handwriting is ex-
cellent, and he expressed himself with ease, in temperament, these
same manuscripts would indicate him to have been a man of positive
make-up, warm hearted and kind, but also warm tempered. In con-
tact with men in the vestry, possessed of similar characteristics, there
were occasional conflagrations, which, however, burned out as quickly
as they ignited. The poverty of the times was always the root cause
of difficulty for both.
A pen-picture of Dr. Van Dyck is afforded by a reference to him made
by John Davis, a chance traveller through Newtown, who published
an account of his journeyings :
I was fortunate enough to procure lodgings at Newtown under
the roof of the Episcopal minister, Mr. Vandyke. The par-
sonage house was not unpleasantly situated. The porch was
shaded by a couple of huge locust trees and accommodated with
a long bench. Here I often sat with my host, who always wore
272
The Records ofChrist Church
the cassock. Mr. Vandyke was at least sixty; yet if a colt, a
pig, or any other quadruped, entered his paddock, he sprang
from his seat with more than youthful agility and vociferously
chased the intruder from his domain. I could not but smile to
behold the parson running after a pig and mingling his cries
with those of the animal.
If "the parson" wore his cassock when making these forays, the men-
tal picture of him thus presented will draw a smile from others beside
John Davis.
Two children of Dr. Van Dyck survived him, a daughter, who died
unmarried, and a son, Richard Van Dyck, who died in 1856, leaving
a large family.
AUTHORITIES
Address by the Rev. Dr. E. E. Beardsley, published as part of the
proceedings of The Seabury Centenary, pp. 123-128,
Pott & Company, 1885.
John Davis's Travels of four Years and a half in the United States,
(1798-1802), p. 155.
Hills's History of the Church in Burlington, p. 339.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
GEORGE HARTWELL SPIEREN, A.M.
Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie
AND OF Trinity Church, Fishkill
November 13th, 1792, — December 9th, 1795
Mr. Spierin's ecclesiastical biography begins at Perth Amboy, New
Jersey, where, in June, 1788, while he was serving as lay reader and also
teaching school, St. Peter's Church called him to be its Rector so soon as
he should have received Holy Orders.
Accordingly, on the 9th of July, 1788, he was ordained Deacon by
Bishop Provoost of New York, in St. Peter's Church, Perth Amboy,
this being the first ordination in the Protestant Episcopal Church to
take place in New Jersey. His admission to the Priesthood followed,
on July 18th, in St. Paul's Chapel, New York City.
He held the Rectorship of St. Peter's, Perth Amboy, from 1788 to
1790, accepting in the latter year the united parishes of St. George's,
Newburgh, and St. Andrew's, Walden, N. Y. During this incumbency,
he founded and conducted the Newburgh Academy.
273
The Records oj Christ Church
From Newburgh he came to Poughkeepsie, assuming charge of Christ
Church as Rector on November 13th, 1792. He probably officiated on
the first two Sundays in November, for, on October 31st, the vestry
voted to ask liim to give notice to the congregation on the two succeed-
ing Sundays that, on the second Tuesday in November, the pews would
be sold at auction for a year. This sale was held at the church, and,
immediately after it, the "Vestry adjourned from the church to the
house of Thomas Poole, where they met the Rev. George H. Spierin,
who was introduced by the Wardens to Vestry, and Inducted as Rector
of this Church & took his seat accordingly." "A paper was read by
Mr. Emott, containing the Terms of Mr. Spierin's Settlement, which
was agreed upon." The agreement provided that Mr. Spierin should
officiate in Christ Church two Sundays out of every three, and that he
was to receive a salary of £80 a year, plus "the farther sum of £20 a
year, provided paj'ments by individuals to the Corporation for the sup-
port of the Rev. George H. Spierin amount to £100 a year."
Just at this time, the Corporation had sold the glebe to John and
Andrew Dunn, so there was no house to offer Mr. Spierin, and this
want of a parsonage ultimately led to his resignation. It is not known
where he lived while in Poughkeepsie, nor do the records of Christ
Church show what agreement was entered into between him and
Trinity Church, Fishkill, where he gave one third of his time.
While at Newburgh, and while at Poughkeepsie, Mr. Spierin was a
regular attendant at the sessions of the Diocesan Convention, and in
October, 1792, received the thanks of that body for his sermon preached
before it. In 1794 he was elected to the standing committee of the
diocese, and in 1795 was chosen a delegate to the General Conven-
tion of the Church.
Mr. Spierin is but few times referred to in the records of Christ
Church, and what part he may have borne in the conduct of parochial
affairs is not indicated. A letter of November 13th, 1794, from him to
the vestry is preserved, the handwriting of which is peculiarly uniform,
clear and fine, while the tone of the conmiunication suggests q, man
of modest, conciliating disposition, who was bearing with patience
circumstances undeniably trying. This letter is the only hint of Mr.
Spierin's personality. He said :
Gentn'
When I had the honor of being called in the char'a of pastor
to reside amongst you, that friendship, which seemed to cement
^ us, was the only voucher I had required to strengthen any con-
tract; being determined, as I still am, when that ceased, not
274
The Records oj Christ Church
(to) render either you or myself unhappy, or to bring a reflec-
tion on that cause the advancement of which is my most ear-
nest pursuit. That friendship, I trust, still continues inviolate.
On my part I pledge myself never to willingly or knowingly
forfeit her smiles.
I expected that the sunamer after my arrival here I w'd have
a house built for me or the rent of one paid for; the third win-
ter is at hand and no stich provision made. The pittance I
have had from the Church, a pittance unparalleled anj^where,
w'd be no mighty allowance in these exorbitant times for
House-rent and firewood. The Academy, upon the arrange-
ment likely to take place, deranges my expectations. The
times are hard, the labor great.
These circumstances, duly considered, will, I hope, prove a
suffic't Apology for my requesting to know if my house-rent
in future will be paid.'* If the subscription paper will be hand-
ed about to those Gent'n who wish to subscribe.'*
The omission of this last bore the resemblance of a disappro-
bation, or dislike, to me, as it w'd be advancing me with't much
trouble or expence to you. If this should be the case, I'll be
thankful to be made acquainted with it, that I may save my-
self and you from many a wound, ever attendant on such a
Sit'n, by a conduct that w'd finally terminate it.
I could wish, as I intend to extricate myself from difficulties
as soon as possible, that you w'd endeavor to clear off whats
past, that I may arrange my little affairs in future to more ad-
vantage.
I am Gent'n with Sentiments of affect'n & Esteem
Your very H'ble & ob't Serv't
Geo. H. Spierin.
The reply of the vestry informed him of active measures taken to
obtain subscriptions, and of their "wish to express our best wishes for
your welfare, & nothing but our inability prevents us from antici-
pating your most ardent wishes. You will do us injustice if you sup-
pose our friendship less ardent than yours; may you long continue
an eminent pastor in the Church is the sincere wish of your affect.
Bretheren."
But circumstances were too strongly against the prosperity of the
parish at this time, for Mr. Spierin's fortunes to be much bettered, and,
on December 9th, 1795, he "informed Vestry of his intention in Quiting
this place in a few days to go to Virginia."
275
The Records ofChrist Church
In 1796 he represented St. Asaph's parish, Carohne County, in the
Convention of the Diocese of Virginia, and also presided over an
academy in the neighborhood, but remained little more than a year, as,
on January 6th, 1798, he was elected Rector of Prince George's parish,
Winyaw, South Carolina. There, too, he superintended a seminary.
In 1802 he resigned this charge to accept that of Grace Church, Sulli-
van's Island, Charleston Harbor. He died at Sullivan's Island, Sep-
tember 12th, 1804, of yellow fever, after four days' illness, and was
buried in the cemetery of St. Philip's Church, Charleston.
Dr. Frederick Dalcho, a resident of Charleston 1799-1836, and
Assistant Minister in St. Michael's Church, there, for many years,
published in 1820 a History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
South Carolina. He said: "Mr. Spierin was descended from a re-
spectable family in Ireland, and was a graduate of Trinity College,
Dublin. He left his native country in 1787, and arrived in New York
early in November."
As Dr. Dalcho had every opportunity of knowing Mr. Spierin per-
sonally, this statement, though otherwise unsupported, is worthy of
acceptance. Dr. Dalcho adds that grief for the death, in 1802, of a son
of much promise, so undermined Mr. Spierin's health, that he fell an
easy victim to an attack of yellow fever.
It does not appear whether Mr, Spierin left descendants. The name
is not known in Charleston at the present time.
AUTHORITIES
Whitehead's History of Perth Amboy, pp. 233-234.
Clayton's History of Union and Middlesex Counties, N. J,
Dix: History of Trinity Parish, New York City, Vol. 2, p. 127.
Headley's History of Orange County, N. Y., pp. 613-614, 630.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1790-1795.
Meade's OZci Churches, etc., of Virginia, pub. 1'857, Vol. 1, p. 414.
Dalcho's History of the Church in South Carolina, pp. 308, 317, 396.
JOHN JOHNSON SAYRS, A.M.
Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie
AND OF Trinity Church, Fishkill
December 25th, 1795, — February 14th, 1798
John Johnson Sayrs was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1774, and
was educated at Princeton. He graduated with the class of 1792, and
received his Master's degree in 1795.
276
The Records of Christ Church
December 25th, 1795, he succeeded Mr. Spierin in the Rectorship of
Christ Church, the vestry entering into an engagement with "the Rev.
Mr. John J. Sayrs," to officiate three Sundays out of every four until
December 25th, 1796, for which services he was to receive £120.0.0.
The fact that Mr. Sayrs entered into this engagement at the time
that he did is of some importance in connection with the confusion
which exists regardmg the date of his ordination.
A List of Persons admitted to Orders from 17 S 5, pubhshed many
years ago by Bishop Burgess, states that John Johnson Sayrs was
"ordained" in 1801 by Bishop Clagett of Maryland. Sprague's Annals
of the American Pulpit {Episcopal), p. 407, says Mr. Sayrs was ordained
"Deacon and Priest" by Bishop Clagett. If these authorities are cor-
rect, then, while in Poughkeepsie, Mr. Sayrs was a lay reader only.
However, Dr. Ethan Men's Clergy in Maryland of the Protestant
Episcopal Church since 1783, published in 1860, says Mr. Sayrs was
"ordamed" by Bishop White of Pennsylvania m 1792, and this sug-
gests, as a solution of the difficulty, that, in 1792, young Sayrs of Prince-
ton was made Deacon by Bishop White, in which capacity he ministered
to the congregations at Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, later, upon his
removal to Maryland, receiving Priest's Orders from Bishop Clagett
in 1801. Bishop White's original ordination records would probably
settle this uncertamty, but search has failed to discover them.
When John J. Sayrs came to Poughkeepsie, he was a youth of twenty-
one. Richard Davis and William Emott were the wardens of the
parish, middle-aged men of positive character, who had long held the
reins of parochial affairs. The vestry was made up of other men of the
same sort, and it is small wonder that we have no knowledge of the
young incumbent, personally, from contemporary references. The
vestry records show the ordering of all material concerns by that body
without consultation with him. He left behmd him a manuscript
record of baptisms, marriages and burials, at which he officiated while
here, judging from which he would seem to have been active in his
pastoral capacity.
At the expiration of his first year in Poughkeepsie, the standing
committee of the vestry resolved unanimously that, in their opinion,
"the Rev. John J. Sayrs has conducted with propriety in his vocation
in this Church, and that we are desirous of entering into farther en-
gagements with him as a Clergyman." February 14th, 1797, the vestry
voted to "pay to the Rev'd John J. Sayrs £140 salary for one year's
service as Rector in this Church for the ensuing year, provided he will
accept the same for three-fourths of his time," which offer Mr. SajTs
did accept.
277
The Records ofChrist Church
December 7th, 1797, "the Reverend Mr. Sayrs our present Rector
signified to the Vestry his intention to decline a Call in the Church the
ensuing year." From Poughkeepsie, in 1798, Mr. Sayrs went south, being
called to the Rectorship of Durham Parish, Charles County, Maryland,
on January 14th, 1799. Here he remained about four years, when, his
health failing somewhat, he gave up his parish, and removed to George-
town, in the District of Columbia. He had married, while in Durham
Parish, Miss Sophia Sprake, and, at first, after going to Georgetown,
supported his family by teaching. Then, by his preaching and in-
fluence, he was the means of founding and organizing St. John's parish,
Georgetown, becoming Rector of the same, and also, in 1806 and 1807,
Chaplain of the United States Senate.
Mr. Sayrs died January 6th, 1809, in his thirty-fifth year, leaving a
widow and two sons. One son died unmarried; the other, John
Johnson Sayrs, Jr., has descendants now living in Virginia.
At the time of Mr. Sayrs's death he was Rector of St. John's, George-
town. His body was buried beneath the chancel of that chiu-ch, and
Francis Scott Key, one of his vestry, wrote the following lines which
mark his resting-place :
John J. Sayrs
huj: Eclae.
Rector pri:
hie
quo servus Christi
fideUter Ministravit,
Sep: jac:
ob. 6 Jan. A.D. MDCCCIX
AE XXXV
Here once stood forth a man, who from the world.
Though bright its aspect to his youthful eye,
Turned with affection ardent to his God,
And lived and died an humble minister
Of His benignant purposes to man.
Here lies he now — yet grieve not thou for him.
Reader, he trusted in that love where none
Have ever vainly trusted. Rather let
His marble speak to thee: and shouldst thou feel
The rising of a new and solemn thought
Waked by this sacred place, and sad memorial,
O listen to its impulse — 'tis Divine
And it shall guide thee to a life of joy,
A death of hope, and endless bliss hereafter.
278
The Records of Christ Church
AUTHORITIES
Sayrs Genealogy, by Theodore M. Banta, 1901, pp. 106, 196.
Records of Princeton University.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Records of Durham Parish, Charles County, Md., deposited
in the Maryland Diocesan Library, Baltimore, Md.
Bishop Burgess's List of Persons admitted to Orders.
Allen's Clergy in Maryland of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit (Episcopal), p. 407.
PHILANDER CHASE, D.D.
Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie
AND of Trinity Church, Fishkill
November 27th, 1799, — December — , 1805
Philander Chase, who served Christ Church as its fifth Rector, ia
conspicuous in the history of the Church in the United States.
Down that perspective his figure looms, gigantic, masterful, romantic.
Large in body, in character, in deed, dominant of will and suggestive
of the elder days of daring and adventure, the man himself stands out
above the facts of his career.
Briefly recounted, those life facts are these. Bom at Cornish, New
Hampshire, December 14 th, 1775, he graduated at Dartmouth College
in 1795. A year as a teacher in the Albany Academy, during which
he was under the friendly care and clerical instruction of the Rev.
Mr. Ellison, Rector of St. Peter's, Albany, led to his ordination to the
Diaconate on Jime 10th, 1798, by Bishop Provoost in New York City.
He began his work in the Church at once, in what were then out-
lying portions of the Diocese of New York, travelling from place to
place as a missionary, and founding parishes. At Utica, at Auburn,
at Canandaigua and other places, his labor bore fruit in organized con-
gregations.
Being called as Rector to the joint parishes at Poughkeepsie and
Fishkill. he accepted the charge, and, after receiving Priest's Orders
from Bishop Provoost in New York on November 10th, assumed this
cure on November 27th, 1799.
He left Poughkeepsie in October, 1805, and went to New Orleans,
where he organized the parish of Christ Church, and held the Rector-
ship thereof until 1811. Returning north, in order that his children
might be educated in New England, he was Rector of Christ Church,
Hartford, 1811-1817.
279
The Records ofCkrist Church
In 1817 he went to Ohio, where the Episcopal Church was unknown,
and where the conditions were still those of the frontier. February 1 1th,
1819, he was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, which he had
newly-created. He resigned this Bishopric in 1831, pushed west still
farther, and, in 1835, was made Bishop of Illinois. He was the Presiding
Bishop of the Church from 1843 until his death, September 20th, 1852.
In 1822 Columbia conferred upon him the degree of D.D.
The moving impulse of Bishop Chase's life and character was the
missionary spirit which flamed within him. And this missionary zeal
seemed ever to be demanding fresh fields and wider opportunities
for its energies. He was restless under settled conditions, and wished
always to be breaking new ground. In going to New Orleans, his task
was the organization of a parish where none had been before. He
chafed under the calm of parochial life in Hartford, and from thence
fared forth to plant the Church in Ohio. There he organized parishes
(assuming, himself, the Rectorship of three and the charge of an
academy), travelled here and there in the sparsely settled country,
lived in most primitive quarters, performed all manner of manual labor,
and endured all varieties of hardship and privation.
Bishop Burgess of Maine wrote^ of him, shortly after his death: — •
"There was in Bishop Chase an element of what may be termed ro-
mance. He was struck with the striking, the touching, the morally
picturesque view of a transaction. He appeared to love those
duties which involved some adventure and exposure, some appeal to
the imagination, and some requisition upon both muscular and
mental energies."
Soon after he became Bishop of Ohio he went to England (in the
face of much disapproval of his act) to solicit funds to found and
endow a college and theological seminary. He returned with thirty
thousand dollars, and Kenyon College and Gambler Seminary are the
result.
In 1831 a difference arose between him and some of his clergy re-
garding the extent of his power of jurisdiction over the college and its
faculty, and he resigned, both as President of Kenyon and as Bishop
of Ohio. This was wholly characteristic. Bishop Burgess said^
further of him : "It was given him to lead ; and he was impatient when
men were slow to follow. He identified himself with his work, and, if
he were thwarted or contradicted, it was not always easy for him to
feel that it could have been in Christian sincerity. Few men were
readier to forgive; but the very warmth with which he laid hold in a
1 Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit [Episcopal), pp.
453-462.
280
The Records ofChrist Church
good cause, and the consciousness of his own simplicity of purpose,
would not permit him to regard otherwise than as personal opponents
some who wished well to his undertakings, but withheld their confidence
from some of his decisions."
Bishop Smith of Kentucky, writing^ in 1857 of Bishop Chase, speaks
of the impression made upon him, at their first meeting in 1828, of the
huge size of the latter, whose massive form and majestic height, were
set off by his costume which consisted of a cassock, and a velvet skull
cap. He describes the quick and nervous play of all the muscles of
the face of Bishop Chase, a certain archness of expression, and a child-
light in his eye. Bishop Smith says^ also: "The firm, persistent
traits of his character were well expressed by his personal appearance,
but not its intensity. This intensity was so gushing and impetuous,
that it either carried everything before it, and repelled the listless and
indifferent from his track, or aroused a positive resistance. Where he
was, others were more likely to hear, than to be heard. Such
tenacity of purpose, and indomitable firmness of will, within this age
has probably not had its equal, except in the case of the great Wellington
or the late Emperor of all the Russias. And, however severe may be the
criticism which time and experience may pass upon the wisdom and
expediency of some of his plans and measures, the manner in which he
rose above diflaculties, surmounted obstacles, and even turned reverses
to good account, will awaken the admiration of all who follow his
footsteps, or study his character."
Bishop Chase married in 1796 Mary, daughter of Daniel Fay of
Hardwick, Massachusetts. She died in 1818. In 1819 he married
Sophia May, daughter of Duncan Ingraham of Philadelphia, who sur-
vived him. He had several children, and his Life has recently been
written by a granddaughter.
AUTHORITIES
Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 1, pp. 584-585.
Life of Philander Chase, by Laura Chase Smith, 1903.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
1 Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit (Episcopal), pp.
458-462.
281
The Records oj Christ Church
BARZILLAI BULKLEY
Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie
AND OF Trinity Church, Fishkill
August 17th, 1806, — August 17th, 1809
Of the sixth Rector of Christ Church but the merest outline of a
biographical sketch is obtainable. He was born January 22d, 1780, of a
family founded in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in the earliest days
of the colony, by the Rev. Peter Bulkley, a noted Congregational
preacher. The homestead of the branch of the family to which
Bafzillai Bulkley belonged was in the town of New Fairfield, and his
father, Jonathan Bulkley, attended St. John's Church, in the ad-
joining town of New Milford.
It is not known where Mr. Bulkley was educated, nor where he was
prepared for the ministry, but he was made Deacon in June, 1805, by
Bishop Jarvis of Connecticut, at Middletown.
For a year after Mr. Bulkley's ordination he had no parish. A
manuscript sermon of his is endorsed by him as having been preached
at Fairfield on August 18th; at Bedford on October 13th; at New
Milford on November 10th, 1805; at Troy on May 11th, 1806, and at
Poughkeepsie on June 15th, 1806.
It may be inferred that this oft-repeated discourse was well received,
for his visit to Poughkeepsie, and its delivery, led to his being called to the
Rectorship of Christ Church, vacant since the departure of Mr. Chase.
Articles of agreement, which were drawn between the Church and
Mr. Bulkley, provided that his rectorate should date from August
17th, 1806; he was to have the use of the parsonage house and lot,
and $300.00 for one year; thereafter, $200.00 a year (unless the
subscriptions could be increased to $300.00); and was to serve Christ
Church two Sundays in succession out of every three, and Festivals
and Holy Days ta the same proportion.
The Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York
for October, 1806, records Mr. Bulkley as officiating at Poughkeepsie
in Deacon's Orders. It has been impossible to learn when, or by
whom, he was advanced to the Priesthood.
In August, 1809, at the end of his third year, Mr. Bulkley and the
vestry of Christ Church dissolved their relations by mutual consent.
Mr. Bulkley next settled at Flushing, Long Island, where he was
Rector of St. George's Church from 1810 until his death, March 29th,
1820. His body was buried on Good Friday beneath the chancel of
the church. Bishop Hobart officiating at the funeral.
The Records of Christ Church
In his Convention address that year, Bishop Hobart, said : "I have
to record the death of the Reverend Barzillai Bulkley, Rector of St.
George's, Flushing, who united in an eminent degree primitive Church
principles with primitive humihty and piety."
On the south wall of the chancel of the Flushing church is a tablet
bearing an inscription, the last line of which might receive revision.
In memory of
Rev. Barzillai Bulkley,
Rector of St. George's Church, Flushing,
Who departed this life the 29th of March, 1820,
Having been in charge of this parish
For the ten years preceding his death.
This monument is erected to his memory
, By his surviving widow.
Mr. Bulkley had no children. His widow, whose maiden name was
Mary Girnn, died at her birthplace. New Milford, Coimecticut, July
21st, 1866, aged eighty-one, and his nearest representative at present
is a great-niece, resident at Brookfield, Connecticut. His brother,
William J. Bulkley, also a Church clergyman, ministered in the West
Indies, and left descendants.
AUTHORITIES
Private records in the Bulkley family.
Bishop Burgess's List of Persons admitted to Orders.
Historical Sketch, Holy Trinity Parish, Middletown, Ct.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Records of St. George's Church, Flushing, L. I.
Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1806, 1820
JOHN REED, A.M., S.T.D.
Rector of Christ Church
August 19th, 1810, — July 6th, 1845
John Reed was born at Wickford, Rhode Island, June 4th, 1777,
From his early youth he wished to enter the ministry, and when he was
sixteen years old began to teach, in order to earn the money to obtain a
collegiate education. He was prepared for college under the Rev. Dr.
Benedict of Plaiufield, Connecticut, and entered Union, where he was
The Records ojChrist Church
graduated in 1805. The records of Union mention his receiving, later,
the degree of A.M., but omit to state in what year.
He studied theology the year following his graduation, and on May
27th, 1806, was admitted to Deacon's Orders by Bishop Moore of New
York. St. Luke's Church, Catskill, New York, then called him to its
Rectorship, and he accepted the call, and entered upon the charge, al-
though it was two years before he was advanced to the Priesthood. He
received Priest's Orders from Bishop Moore, June 17th, 1808.
In 1810 he was called to Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, his settlement
as Rector of the parish being effected August 19th of that year, and his
earnest and devoted labors continuing in this one field until his death,
thirty-five years later.
At the time of his death he was a Trustee of the General Theological
Seminary, and had been such for about nineteen years. In 1822 the
degree of S.T.D. was conferred upon him by Columbia, and in 1835
he represented the Diocese of New York in the General Convention,
having previously been elected an alternate delegate to the Convention
of 1832.
In Dr. Reed's life and character the most conspicuous quality was his
consecration of spirit in the pastoral relation. Throughout the tliirty-
five years of his association with Christ Church, he was constant and
unvarying in his devotion to his people.
It has sometimes been thought that he was an autocrat within the
bounds of his parochial kingdom. Rather, let it be said that he exer-
cised a beneficent paternalism. While, beyond doubt, it is true that
he did direct and control the affairs of the parish himself, to a pre-
ponderant extent, it is also true that this was the natural outgrowth of
his heart-attitude, which was that of the faithful and self-sacrificing
parent with his children.
His feeling on this point is clearly shown by his own words in his
farewell sermon to the congregation, February 23d, 1845. The text
of the sermon was "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem," and, in speaking
of the "Peace of God which passeth aU understanding," he said :
The fed flock goes forth from the sanctuary under the
blessing of the Heavenly Father, pronounced by His author-
ized servant. * * * And he, who pronounces this benediction,
remembering in whose name and by whose authority he speaks,
and reflecting on the redeemed of God in whose behalf he is
acting, must have his soul deeply solemnized, and must feel
it to be the desire of his heart that, when he shall be finally
separated from his flock, he may leave the Church Mihtant,
284
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and deliver over to his Master his spiritual charge with this
benediction on his heart and tongue.* * * When I first came
among you, I publicly told you that I came to serve you in the
most momentous of all human relations, and in discharging my
duties to live and die with you ; and that I was determined to
know nothing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him cruci-
fied.
In his letter to the vestry in 1842, asking for an assistant, he said:
I hope it will not be understood by this communication
that I wish to be relieved from any labor which God shall
give me ability to perform. I came among you in the first in-
stance to live, to labor and to die with you. That is still my
intention and wish.
Intellectually, Dr. Reed's attainments were solid and substantial,
rather than brilliant; logical, rather than imaginative. Dr. Brown,
who for many years was Rector of St. George's, Newburgh, and a close
friend of Dr. Reed's, said^ of him :
His mental processes were rather deliberate, and hence he
rarely had occasion to reverse or set aside his conclusions. He
was not only a careful observer of what was passing in the
world around him, but he was also, for a parish minister, a
diligent student, — he kept himself acquainted with the various
phases of theological opinion, which were developed during
his ministry. * * * His excellent judgment and great pru-
dence made him an admirable counsellor. These same qual-
ities gave him great influence beyond the more immediate
sphere of his labours. His brethren in the ministry attached
great importance to his opinion, and it may safely be said that
he was among the more influential ministers of the Diocese.
The type of his Churchmanship was as nearly like that of
Bishop Hobart as of any other man. He was an Episcopa-
lian, not only from education but from thorough conviction;
but he was willing that others should enjoy the liberty that
he claimed for himself.
If in Churchmanship Dr. Reed resembled Bishop Hobart, of the
latter it has been said that "he was one of the High Churchmen of his
day, and admitted no compromise in regard to the opinions he held as
an Episcopalian; but he was still in the most agreeable relations with
many clergymen of other communions."
1 Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit (Episcopal), pp. 506-509.
285
The Records of Christ Church
The History of Trinity Parish speaks of the friendship between
Bishop Hobart and Dr. Reed, saying that the latter, "a frequent cor-
respondent of the Bishop, always wrote to him in the frankest manner
possible; his letters are therefore worthy of consideration as revealing
not only his own feelings, but undercurrents of those times which it is
hard to realize today."
Dr. Nott, President of Union, under whom Dr. Reed graduated,
wrote^ of him :
During his entire life, he not only fulfilled the duties of his
oflSce to the satisfaction of a large and most respectable con-
gregation, containing many learned and distinguished men,
but he was considered a wise and prudent counsellor, and exert-
ed a powerful and extensive influence in the measures adopted
and the acts performed by the Church to which he belonged.
He retained to the last his aflfectionate regard for his Alma
Mater, and the charm of his character was that, though
a true Churchman, he never misrepresented the doctrines,
or under-rated the talents, or impugned the motives
of those who differed from him. Claiming in matters of faith
to think for himself, he freely conceded the exercise of the same
right to others, and ever recognized and treated other evan-
gelical denominations as brethren in the bonds of a common
Christianity, so that he not only lived to the end of his useful
life in peace with all good men, but died lamented by the
whole community.
Dr. Reed's own writings support the testimony of Dr. Nott and Dr.
Brown that he was a High Churchman. He published a small work
in defence of the Episcopate, and his farewell sermon, already referred
to, contains passages indicating his ecclesiastical position, and showing
his familiarity with the Oxford Movement and (by inference)
approval of the same.
In the last years of his life Dr. Reed suflFered several paralytic strokes,
and became unable to perform the active duties of the ministry.
He died Jtdy 6th, 1845, and his body was buried at the northwest
corner of the present church square, where a monument was erected
to his memory. The vestry placed a marble mural tablet in the
church, "in testimony of the universal affection and veneration of the
Parish," and his daughter gave a circular window picturing the Good
Shepherd, which is in the present parish house.
l„Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit (^Episcopal), pp. 506-509.
286
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The Journal and Eagle of Poughkeepsie, in its issue following his
death, made an obituary of him one of its most important items, an
act of much significance then, when papers printed almost no local news :
Death of the Rev. Dr. Reed. On Sunday evening last the
Rev. John Reed, D.D., of this village, died at his residence
in Cannon street at the age of 68 years.
The departure of no individual resident among us could have
made so great a vacuum in Society as that of the venerated
clergyman whose death we today record. For nearly forty
years he had filled the office of Rector of Christ Church in this
place, and during all that period was not only most devotedly
attached to the flock over which he was placed, but as warmly
beloved by that flock, and all with whom he had intercourse.
In the faithful discharge of his duties as a minister of Christ,
his labours were greatly blest to the Church, and his charities
and kind attentions to the poor, especially in times of distress,
sickness, sorrow and death, were so constant and untiring
that his place can scarcely be filled by another.
As a minister and as a private gentleman, no man was ever
more respected by the Christian community of all denomina-
tions. To all, especially his own Church, the loss is one that
can never be repaired.
Dr. Reed married in his young manhood Susan Robinson, of Plain-
field, Connecticut, who died in 1832, leaving two sons and one
daughter, the wife of Thomas L. Da vies of Poughkeepsie.
February 9th, 1834, Dr. Reed married, for his second wife. Miss
Elizabeth Parkinson of Poughkeepsie, a woman of years and of means,
who survived him, dying May 8th, 1858, aged about eighty.
Until his second marriage he lived in the parsonage, on the corner of
Academy and Cannon streets; after it, he occupied a house, owned by
his wife, on Cannon street. This house, in which he died, stood op-
posite the home of the late senior warden, Mr. Cornwell, but it has
long since been taken down, and the lot is vacant.
AUTHORITIES
Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit {Episcopal), pp. 452,
506-509.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Dix: History of Trinity Parish, Vol. 3, p. 200.
Appleton's Cyclopoedia of American Biography , Vol. 5, p. 208.
The Churchman, July 26th, 1845.
The Journal and Eagle of Poughkeepsie, July 12th, 1845.
287
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HOMER WHEATON
Rectob of Christ Church
April 12th, 1846,— May 1st, 1847
Homer Wheaton was a native of Dutchess County, New York, his
birth occurring at The Square, in the town of North East, on Decem-
ber 15th, 1804. His parents removing, soon after it, to central New
York, he received his preUminary education at the academy at Pompey,
and graduated with the class of 1822 from Hamilton College, Clinton.
He was a precocious child, translating Xenophon when nine years old,
and his ability further manifested itself in college, the delivery of the
English oration being assigned to him at graduation.
After studying law, Mr. Wheaton began practise in Syracuse, but
in a few years came to Lithgow, Dutchess County. He had married
in 1830 Louisa, daughter of Judge Isaac Smith of Lithgow, a large land
owner in that neighborhood, and, Mrs. Wheaton inheriting at her
father's death much of this estate, it became expedient for them to
occupy and care for it.
Between 1830 and 1840, Mr. Wheaton's attention began to be cen-
tered upon the Church, and he came under the personal knowledge of
Dr. Reed, of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, whose influence was un-
doubtedly an agent toward his decision to take Orders. Dr. Reed
baptized him December 7th, 1841, and, being already prepared for
Orders, he was ordained Deacon two days later (December 9th, 1841)
by Bishop Onderdonck, in Christ Church. He became assistant to
Dr. Reed January 1st, 1842, serving in Deacon's Orders until Novem-
ber 13th of that year, when he was advanced to the Priesthood by
Bishop Onderdonck, this ordination, also, taking place in Christ
Church.
Mr. Wheaton was Assistant Minister in Christ Church the last years
of Dr. Reed's life, being made Rector of the parish, in succession to Dr.
Reed, on April 12th, 1846. Also as successor to Dr. Reed, he was
elected in 1846 a member of the Board of Trustees of the General
Theological Seminary. He resigned from the Board in 1855.
The illness of Mrs. Wheaton's mother making it necessary for her
and her husband again to live in the old home at Lithgow, Mr. Whea-
ton relinquished his charge in Poughkeepsie on May 1st, 1847.
The correspondence between him and the vestry of Christ Church
on this occasion (and on those of his election as Assistant and as Rec-
tor) clearly shows the esteem in which he was held, and his own
thoughtful, conscientious spirit. A Common. Place Book, begun by
288
The Records ofChrist Church
Mr. Wheaton in 1820, bears upon its fly-leaf, "Nil actum reputans si
quid puperesset agendum," and the sentiment that nothing should be
considered accomplished, if anything remained to be done, is one that
expressed a governing rule of Mr. Wheaton's life. The corner-stone
of his character was his devotion to duty, combined with inflexible
resolution in carrying it out in the least detail, but this strength was
saved from harshness by other traits equally marked.
A few are now living who were members of the parish during his
ministry, and they bear tribute to the beauty of his character. One,
who knew him well and loved him, said to the writer, with much feel-
ing, — "he had the personality of a Christian, the manners of a gentle-
man, and the heart of a woman!" Another recalls that, in preaching,
he was used to address "My Christian Brethren," and frequently to
urge them to "hear the Voice of the Church." His own speaking voice
is described as exceptionally fine.
It has also been said of him that "he held himself up to a very high
standard, and he never, in large or little things, fell a bit below it.
With this, went a self-sacrifice, a humility about himself, a great
courtesy toward others, and, withal, a wholesome, almost joyful
nature. He had a wonderfully hearty laugh, and enjoyed a good story.
There was no touch of the morbid, no suggestion of ofiFering himself as
an exemplar."
His was, in short, one of those rare natures, shot through with charm,
and fixed in principle, which evoke in men's hearts love and reverence,
and inspire them with freshened faith ia the best things of life.
The Oxford Movement, started in 1833, had established an influence
in the Church in the United States in the early forties, and Mr. Whea-
ton was one of those who were profoundly aflfected by it. While he
was in Poughkeepsie his High Church teaching was sufficiently pro-
nounced to make some of his people consider his views very advanced,
and one member of the congregation, in alarm lest a general with-
drawal to the Church of Rome was about to take place, himself with-
drew to the Reformed Dutch Church.
However, when Mr. Wheaton removed from Poughkeepsie to
Lithgow in 1847, he interested himself at once in St. Peter's Church,
there, to the Rectorship of which he was called ia 1848. He continued
in that office about seven years, in which time he also labored
at mission stations in the county, taking charge of St. Mary's, at
Poughquag in the town of Beekman; of St. Paul's, Pleasant
Valley: and of St. Thomas's, Amenia Union, at which latter place he
was instrumental in the erection of a church building designed by
Upjohn.
289
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In 1854, after Bishop Wainwright's death, a number of the clergy
urged his name for the Bishopric of New York, but the movement
was discouraged by him as his views were then changing. The
following year, 1855, he entered the Roman Church, and the re-
mainder of his life was spent in retirement, at Lithgow, as a layman
of that Communion. He died November 12th, 1894, in his ninetieth
year.
Mr. Wheaton had two sons, Isaac Smith Wheaton, who died in 1872
without issue, and Judge Charles Wheaton of Poughkeepsie, who left
descendants. Of Mr. Wheaton's family, his son's wife, the late Mrs.
Charles Wheaton of Poughkeepsie, and her two daughters shared the
ecclesiastical beliefs of his later years.
AUTHORITIES
Family records in the possession of Isaac S. Wheaton, Esq., of Lith-
gow.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie,
Records of Hamilton College.
Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1841-1855.
Proceedings of the Board of Trustees of the General Theological
Seminary. 1846-1855.
SAMUEL BUEL, A.M., S.T.D.
Rector of Christ Church
September 15th, 1847,— May 10th, 1866
Samuel Buel was born at Troy, New York, June 15th, 1815. He
graduated from WiUiams College, in the class of 1833, at the early age
of eighteen, being the valedictorian of his class. The subject of his
oration was "Originality of Character," a fact that cannot fail to have
a humorous side for those who knew him personally, for he is said to
have possessed that quality himself, in large measure.
Having obtained his Master's degree in 1836 from WiUiams and
graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1837, he was
ordained Deacon July 2d, 1837, by Bishop Onderdonck, in St. Luke's
Church, New York City. For a short time he was Assistant in St.
Peter's, Albany, but removed in 1838 to the Diocese of Michigan. He
was still in Deacon's Orders at the time of his removal from the Diocese
of New York, and the date of his ordination to the Priesthood has not
been obtained.
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The fifty years of Dr. Buel's active life in the ministry were ahnost
equally divided between parochial charges and professorial chairs.
From 1838 to 1866 he held four Rectorships: that of Trinity Church,
Marshall, Michigan, 1838-1839; of St. James's, Schuylkill Haven,
Pennsylvania, 1840-1841; of Emmanuel Church, Cumberland, Mary-
land, 1841-1847; and of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, New York,
1847-1866.
His first professorship was that of Ecclesiastical History and Divin-
ity, in the Seabury Divinity School, at Faribault, Minnesota, from
1867 to 1871; his second, that of Systematic Divinity and Dogmatic
Theology in the General Theological Seminary, New York City, in
which he continued in active duty from 1871 to 1888, being made
Professor Emeritus in the latter year. The degree of S.T.D. was con-
ferred upon Mr. Buel by Columbia in 1862 and by the General Semi-
nary in 1885. From 1857 to 1866, while Rector of Christ Church,
Poughkeepsie, he was a Trustee of the Seminary.
Extended scholarship was possessed by Dr. Buel, and he was in his
most successful field of work when among his books. He published
A Treatise on the Eucharistic Presence, Sacrifice and Adoration,
and an essay on The Apostolic System of the Church Defended,
and, after his retirement from his active professorship, his lectures at
the General Seminary were published in two large octavo volumes,
under the title of A Treatise of Dogmatic Theology.
Dr. Buel died in New York City, December 30th, 1892, and was
survived by his widow and one son. His wife was a daughter of the
Rev. Dr. WiUiam Holland Wilmer, President of William and Mary
College, and a sister of Richard Hooker Wilmer, who was made
Bishop of Alabama in 1862 by the short-lived Church in the Confed-
eracy.
The Board of Trustees of the Seminary, in taking appropriate action
at the time of his death, said of him: "No one could have been more
regular and attentive in filling the duties of a Professor's chair than Dr
Buel. Never absent from his lectures, or from the daily service in the
Chapel, he was untiring in the work of his Department. A most in-
dustrious student, with an extraordinary memory for aU he had read,
he was literally a living encyclopoedia of sacred learning. Before its
removal to the new building most of the books of the library were
catalogued and put in place by his own hands. Below a certain
brusqueness of manner, he always had a very warm heart, and his loss
wUl long be felt by his colleagues in the Faculty and by those who had
the privilege of sitting under his teaching."
291
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AUTHORITIES
Proceedings of the Board of Trustees, General Theological Seminary,
Vol. 6, pp. 752-753.
SchafF's Religious Encyclopoedia, Vol. 4, p. 29.
Williams College General Catalogue, 1905, p. 49.
Williams College, Biographical Annals, pp. 471-472.
Obituary, The Churchman, January 7th, 1893.
PHILANDER KINNEY CADY, A.M., S.T.D.
Rectok of Christ Church
September 1st, 1866, — October 31st, 1875
The Rev. Dr. Cady is one of the two, living, ex-Rectors of Christ
Church.
Dr. Cady was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 23d, 1826, graduat-
ed in 1843 from W^oodward College, Cincinnati, from the General
Theological Seminary in 1847, and received his Master's degree from
Trinity College, Hartford, m 1856.
In 1850 he was ordered Deacon by Bishop Whittingham, in Trinity
Church, New York City, and in 1851 was advanced to the Priesthood
by Bishop DeLancey, in Grace Church, Brooklyn. His parochial
charges were: Trinity Church, West Troy, New York, 1851-1857;
Grace Church, Newark, New Jersey, 1857-1860; Grace Church, Al-
bany, New York, 1861-1865; Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, 1866-1875;
and St. James's, Hyde Park, New York, 1876-1888. In 1871, 1874,
and 1877 the Diocese of New York elected him one of its clerical
deputies to the General Conventions which met in those years.
From 1889 to 1904 Dr. Cady was associated with the General Theo-
logical Seminary, holding the Professorship of the Evidences of Natural
and Revealed Religion 1889-1902, and serving as Acting Dean 1903-
1904. Columbia University conferred upon him in 1878 the degree
of S.T.D., and in 1895 the Seminary did the same.
June 11th, 1863, Dr. Cady married Miss Helen S. Hamilton of
Troy, who died in 1868. His only son, Hamilton Cady, is also deceased,
and Dr. Cady, with his only daughter, now lives at Ridgefield, Connec-
ticut.
292
The Records oj Christ Church
HENRY LAFAYETTE ZIEGENFUSS, A.M., S.T.D.
Rector of Christ Church
November 1st, 1875, — February 8th, 1894
Archdeacon of Dutchess, 1886-1894
Dr. Ziegenfuss was born November 3d, 1844, at Kresgeville, Mon-
roe County, Pennsylvania, of Lutheran parentage. He was prepared
for college in a Moravian school at Nazareth, and in 1862 matriculated
at Pennsylvania College, a Lutheran institution at Gettysburgh,
Pennsylvania, where he graduated with honor in 1866. He was
a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and of the Phrenokosmian
Literary Society, and his college course was further marked by service
in the Civil War. In June and Jxily, 1863, a company was enlisted from
among the students of Pennsylvania College and placed under the
command of Colonel W. W. Jennings, of the 26th Pennsylvania, and
participated with that regiment in the battle of Gettysburgh, July 1-3,
1863.
From Pennsylvania College Mr. Ziegenfuss went to Mt. Airy Luther-
an Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, in 1866, and graduated in 1869.
On Trinity Sunday, 1869, he was ordained to the Lutheran ministry,
in which he remained for three years, during which time he was Pastor
of the Third Lutheran Church at Rhinebeck, New York, and for part
of which he was also Professor of Chemistry in DeGarmo Institute,
Rhinebeck.
In 1872 Mr. Ziegenfuss resigned his pastorate, was confirmed by
Bishop Horatio Potter, in the Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck, and,
on October 3d of that year, became a candidate for Orders in the
Protestant Episcopal Church. His admission to the Diaconate took
place October 17th, 1873, in the Church of the Messiah, and to the
Priesthood on April 20th, 1874, in St. Paul's, Poughkeepsie, Bishop
Horatio Potter officiating at both ordinations.
As lay reader, and as Deacon, he held services at St. Margaret's,
Staatsburgh, and for six months in 1864, after his ordination to the
Priesthood, while the Rector of St. James's, Hyde Park, was abroad,
he supplied that parish. In the autumn of 1874 he was invited to take
charge of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, while Dr. Cady was absent for
a year for the recovery of his health. When Dr. Cady resigned in
1875, Mr. Ziegenfuss was elected Rector of Christ Church, and con-
tinued as such until his death in 1894.
From the time of his coming to Christ Church he was closely in
touch with diocesan mission work, and had much to do with the direc-
293
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tion of it, its machinery then consisting of a diocesan missionary
committee, elected by the Diocesan Convention, and local Convo-
vocations of the clergy and laity. Mr. Ziegenfuss was made
secretary of the Convocation of Dutchess in 1880, and in 1883 he
was elected a member of the missionary committee of the diocese.
The Diocesan Convention of 1885 reorganized the administration of
its domestic missionary affairs, and adopted the present archdeaconry
system, Mr, Ziegenfuss being appointed in May, 1886, by Bishop
Potter, the first Archdeacon of Dutchess, which oflBce he filled in a
way that created for it an ideal standard. He was an Examining
Chaplain of the Diocese of New York, 1884-1894, and was elected a
provisional deputy to the General Conventions of 1886 and 1889.
Prior to its disbandment in 1882 Dr. Ziegenfuss was for seven
years Chaplain of the 21st Regiment, N. G. N. Y., and from 1869,
when he was admitted to the Rhinebeck Lodge, until his death in
1894, he was an active Mason. He was a charter member in 1879 of
Triune Lodge, No. 782, of Poughkeepsie, and Chaplain thereof
1879-1894; affiliated 1872 with Poughkeepsie Commandery, No.
43, Knights Templar (of which he was Prelate 1879-80, 1890-91,
1892-93), and with Poughkeepsie Chapter, No. 172, Royal Arch
Masons, in 1893. He was also an honorary member of the Euterpe
Glee Club.
The degree of A.M. was conferred upon Mr. Ziegenfuss in 1869 by
Pennsylvania College, and of S.T.D. by Hobart CoUege in 1890. He
published What Constitutes a Lawful Ministry (E. P. Dutton,
1874); a paper on The Position and Work of the Laity (American
Church Congress, 1882); a paper on The Higher Education oj
Women (American Church Congress, 1887); articles in Forest and
Stream, entitled Up and Down in Colorado, Piseco and T Lake Falls,
and other fugitive work in periodicals.
To gather and record such facts as those above is a necessary part
of the work of a biographer, but how faintly they suggest the character
of the man whose life history they outline!
Adequately to write of Dr. Ziegenfuss for those who knew him, or,
to convey to those who did not know him, any idea of what he really
was, are equally impossible tasks for an imworthy pen. He was dis-
tinguished as a student in theology and in science, he was able as a
preacher, and indefatigable as a worker; but it was not these qualities
which made him a leader of men, and it is as such he will be best re-
membered. High and low, rich and poor. Episcopalian, non-Episco-
palian, in Poughkeepsie, throughout Dutchess County, held him
in affection; there has probably never been a minister in Poughkeepsie
294
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more generally popular, among all Churches, and all classes, than he;
but it was not for his learning that this esteem was accorded, nor was
it by the exercise of any tact or diplomacy that it was won.
The essence of the great power of his personality might be defined
as its humanness. He sounded the note of brotherhood, and that not
consciously. He was a brother to men, and really loved them; a fact
they instinctively recognized, and which drew forth its own response,
for love begets love. He was approachable, genial, cheery, sunny,
and there radiated from him an influence that imparted a warmth and
glow at heart to those about him. In the drawing-room, and in the
tenement, in the councils of the diocese, and in lonely mission stations,
he carried with him that touch of nature which made him kin to all.
Unselfish, strong and tender, modest and withal accomplished, he
lived his life here, and when he died the whole community voiced
grief.
The circumstances of his death were peculiarly touching. His wife,
a daughter of Dr. Isaac F. Van Vliet of Rhinebeck, whom he had
married in 1873, in the Church of the Messiah, was for many years an
invalid and unable to bear the care of a home. Her illness grew acute
in the winter of 1894, while they were living at the Nelson House, and
she died January 23d. Fatigued by the unceasing care he had given
her. Dr. Ziegenfuss became ill with grip, and, a few days after his wife's
funeral, he was removed to Vassar Hospital. A heart weakness, the
knowledge of which he had long kept to himself, proved the bar to his
recovery, and, in his sleep, on Thursday evening, February 8th, 1894,
he died.
His body was borne to his study at the church, and lay in the
shadow of the book -lined walls, guarded by members of the Brother-
hood of St. Andrew, until Monday, February 12th, when a funeral ser-
vice was held in the church. The solemn ceremonial of that day is
part of the public history of the parish and of Poughkeepsie, but, for
his own people, the real farewell was on the Sunday morning intervening,
when they gathered at the Altar-rail in the celebration of the Holy
Communion, with all that was mortal of him they loved lying so near
them. The processional hymn, "Hark, hark, my Soul, angelic songs
are swelling," sung as the choir passed the closed door of the study,
had the joyous ring of hope he would liimself have chosen. There
was no sermon, no reference to what had occurred, except in the deep
silence that followed the words in the Communion Office, "We also
bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith
and fear," but the whole service was surcharged with the throbbing
sense of loss that filled the heart of each one present.
295
The Records of Christ Church
As a memorial to Dr. Ziegenfuss his library of three thousand vol-
umes was purchased and presented to Christ Church by a number of
his friends.
Also in his memory, there was given a processional cross by four men,
who, with him, had made a group of five, in which there had been good
fellowship and friendship. The donors knew of his special wish for a
processional cross for the church, and chose it for their memorial for
that reason.
AUTHORITIES'
Pennsylvania College Book, Alumni Record; pub. Phila., 1882,
by Lutheran Publication Society.
Records of Mt. Airy Theological Seminary.
Appleton's Cyelopoedia of American Biography, Vol. 1, p. 198.
Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1872-1894
Records of the Masonic Order.
Records of Hobart College.
Records of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Records of the Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck.
Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, Feb. 9, 12. 13, 1894.
Poughkeepsie News Press, Feb. 9. 10, 12, 13, 1894.
The Sunday Courier, of Poughkeepsie, Feb. 11, 1894.
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS WEIKERT, A.M.
Rector of Christ Church
March 12th, 1894,— February 20th, 1900
The Rev. Mr. Weikert is the second of the two living ex-Rectors
of Christ Church.
Mr. Weikert was born in Littletown, Pennsylvania, and received his
ollegiate education at Pennsylvania College, Gettysburgh, which con-
ferred upon him his Master's degree. After graduation from the Theo-
logical Seminary at Gettysburgh, he was ordained to the Lutheran
ministry, and at once assumed the pastorate of the Lutheran Church
at Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York, which he held from 1879
to 1891, when a decision to enter the Protestant Episcopal Church led
to his confirmation, that year, in Grace Church, New York City. He
was ordained Deacon, June 19th, 1892, in St. Paul's Church, Morri-
sania, and Priest, December 18th, 1892, in St. Bartholomew's, New
York, by Bishop Potter.
From 1893 to 1894 Mr. Weikert was Rector of the Church of the
Regeneration, Pine Plains, New York; from 1894 to 1900 of Christ
296
The Records ofChrist Church
Church, Poughkeepsie; and from 1900 of St. Mark's, Paterson, New
Jersey. The membership of St. Mark's has more than doubled during
his rectorate, and its income as well, and the church edifice, which was
destroyed by fire in 1902, has been replaced by a new and handsome
structure.
Mr. Weikert is a member of the Pro-Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese
of Newark, of the Board of Missions and Church Extension, and of the
Ecclesiastical Architecture Commission, and belongs to the Sigma Chi
Fraternity. He married Miss Hannah Drexel Frey of Gettysburgh,
Pennsylvania, and has two daughters.
ALEXANDER GRISWOLD CUMMINS, A.M., Litt.D.
Rector of Christ Church
Instituted December 2d, 1900
Alexander Griswold Cummins, son of the Rev. Alexander Griswold
Cimimins, Sr., was born in Smyrna, Delaware, where his family had
long been identified with the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was
graduated from Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, in
1889, and from 1889 to 1893 was an under- and post-graduate student
at the General Theological Seminary, New York City. In 1893 he
received the degree of A.M. from Columbia University, where he had
taken post-graduate courses 1890-1893, and, in 1909, Swarthmore
College conferred upon him the degree of Litt. D.
Mr. Cimamins was ordered Deacon in Christ Church, Greenwich,
Connecticut, June 12th, 1892, by the Rt. Rev. Leighton Coleman,
Bishop of Delaware, and served as Curate in that parish from that date
imtil April, 1894. May 1st, 1894, he was ordained to the Priesthood
by Bishop Coleman, in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd of the General
Theological Seminary. After fourteen months spent in travel and
study abroad, he became Curate of Holy Trinity Church, New York
City, December 1st, 1895, which position he resigned five years later
to accept a call to Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, where he was
instituted Rector, December 2d, 1900.
During his incumbency of the Rectorship of Christ Church, Dr.
Cummins has accomplished so much for the upbuilding of the parish
that, upon the tenth anniversary of his institution, the vestry have
pubhshed this volume as a mark of their appreciation of his work.
Dr. Cummins is a member of the standing committee of the Diocese
of New York; chairman of the (diocesan) social service committee;
297
The Records ofChrist Church
a member of the (diocesan) committee for expediting business; and a
member of the executive committee of the Church Congress. He is
chairman of the finance committee of the Poughkeepsie Branch of
the State Charities' Aid Association; director and chairman of the
finance committee of the Associated Charities' Association of Pough-
keepsie; member of the Consumers' League; of the Child Labor Com-
mission; of the National Playground Association; and of the Pough-
keepsie Chamber of Commerce; Trustee of the Pringle Home, Pough-
keepsie; of St. Barnabas's Hospital Foundation, Poughkeepsie; and of
the Clergymen's Mutual Insurance League (general).
The social affiliations of Dr. Cummins include membership in Phi
Kappa Psi; in Phi Beta Kappa; in Tau Nu Epsilon; in Book and
Key; in the Alumni Association of Columbia University; in the Union
League Club, New York City; in the National Arts Club and the
Circle of the Friends of the Medallion, New York City; in the Amrita,
the University, the Tennis and the Boat Club, Poughkeepsie; in the
Clove Valley Rod and Gim Club; in the Churchmen's Association; in
the Club, the Twelve, and the Rectory Club.
ASSISTANT MINISTERS, CURATES AND MINISTERS
IN CHARGE
Assistant Minister, 1842-1845, the Rev. Homer Wheaton.
For further data, see the biographies of the Rectors of the parish.
Assistant Minister, 1866-1872, the Rev. William Barber Thomas.
The Rev. Mr. Thomas was a native of Poughkeepsie, and a parish-
ioner of Christ Church. He held successively the following
offices: Rector of Trmity Church, Fishkill Village, N. Y.;
Rector of Christ Church, Duanesburgh, N. Y. ; Principal of an
English and Classical School, at Schenectady, N. Y. ; Rector of
St. Paul's Church, Pleasant Valley, N. Y. ; and Assistant Minister
of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, from December 1st, 1866, to
October 7th, 1872. Mr. Thomas died October 22d, 1876, aged
seventy-eight.
Curate, 1902-1904, the Rev. Edward Schofield Travers, A. M.
Mr. Travers graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.,
1898, and from Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown, 1901, re-
ceiving that same year his Master's degree from Trmity. He was
Assistant Minister, Grace Church, New York City, from July 1st,
1901, to September 1st, 1902; Curate of Christ Church, Pough-
keepsie, September 1st, 1902, to January 1st, 1904; "Assistant Min-
298
The Records of Christ Church
ister on the Greene Foundation," Trinity Church, Boston, Mass.,
January 1st, 1904, to January 1st, 1906; and is now Chaplain of the
United States Mihtary Academy, West Point, N. Y., appointed
December 1st, 1905.
Curate, 1907-1910, the Rev. Frederick Sherman Arnold, A.M., S.T.B.
The Rev. Mr. Arnold is a native of Poughkeepsie; he graduated
from Harvard University, A. B., summa cum laude, in 1898, and
from the Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Mass., 1901,
and holds the degree of A.M. conferred by Harvard in 1899, and
of S.T.B. conferred by the Theological School in 1901; his affilia-
tions in his college life included membership in Phi Beta Kappa,
Hasty Pudding Club, Institute of 1770, and Amphidon. From
1901 to 1902 Mr. Arnold was Curate in Grace Church, New York
City; from 1903 to 1905 Curate of the Church of the Holy Com-
forter, Poughkeepsie; from 1905 to 1906 Curate in Mount Calvary
Church, Baltimore, Md.; from 1906 to 1907, Canon and Priest
in Charge of the Cathedral, Fargo, North Dakota; from June
1st, 1907, to October 1st, 1910, Curate of Christ Church, Pough-
keepsie; and from October 1st, 1910, Rector of St. Thomas's
Church, Brandon, Vermont.
Curate, 1910, the Rev. Lewis Edwin Hess.
The Rev. Mr. Hess is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary,
New York City, class of 1900, having previously been a student
at Hhnols College, Jacksonville, Illinois, and taking special
courses in philosophy and sociology at Columbia University in
1899-1902. After three years spent in the Presbyterian
ministry as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at East Meredith,
New York, Mr. Hess received Episcopal ordination, being made
Deacon by the Bishop of Albany in 1908, and Priest by the
Bishop-Coadjutor of Pennsylvania in 1909. He served as
assistant in the Church of the Messiah, Glens Falls, New York,
1907-1908; as Curate of St. James's, Philadelphia, 1908-1909;
of St. Ann's, Brooklyn, 1909-1910; and from October 16th, 1910,
has been Curate of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie.
Minister in Charge, 1874-1875, the Rev. Henry L. Ziegenfuss.
For further data, see the biographies of the Rectors of the parish.
Minister in Charge, 1900, the Rev. Eliphalet Nott Potter, D.D.
Dr. Potter was a graduate of Union College in the class of 1861,
and of Berkeley Divinity School, 1862; in 1862 he became Mis-
sionary in the Lehigh Valley, Diocese of Pennsylvania, and Rector
299
The Records ofChrist Church
of the Church of the Nativity, South Bethlehem, 1862-1869; he
was Secretarj'^ of Lehigh University, and Professor of Ethics in
that institution 1866-1871; and from 1869 to 1871 Associate
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Troy, N. Y. In 1871 he was elected
President of Union College, and in 1884 President of Hobart
College. He was the recipient of the following degrees: D.D.
from Columbia, 1871; LL.D.. from Williams, 1880; and L.H.D..
from St. Stephen's, 1895. It was after his retirement from the
Presidency of Hobart, that he served from March to December,
1900, as Minister in Charge of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie. Dr.
Potter died February 6th, 1901.
MiNiSTEB EST CHARGE, 1904, the Rcv. Charles H. Babcock, D.D.
From January to June, 1904, during the illness of the Rector of
the parish, the Rev. Charles Henry Babcock, D.D., was Minister
in Charge of Christ Church. Dr. Babcock was, in 1875, appointed
an "Assistant Minister on the Greene Foundation" in Trinity
Church, Boston; from 1879 to 1888 he was Rector of Trinity
Church, Columbus, Ohio, and from 1888 to 1893 of Grace Church,
Providence, R. I. Since his resignation of this latter charge, be-
cause of ill health, he has held no parish, but has given very
valuable assistance to the work of the Church Congress in the
United States. Dr. Babcock has served on the general and
executive committees of the Congress for many years, was
General Chairman pro tem, October, 1907— May, 1908, and in
May, 1908, was elected General Chairman. The degree of D.D.
was conferred upon him in 1886 by Kenyon College, Gambler,
Ohio.
300
APPENDIX
WARDENS OF THE PARISH
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780—1783
1784
1785—1788
1789
1790
1791—1792
1793
1794—1798
1799—1800
1801
ISOS
1803
1804—1805
1806
1807
1808
1809—1810
1811
1812—1822
1823—1825
1826—1832
1833—1842
1843—1844
1845—1852
1853—1860
1861—1879
1880—1883
Senior Warden
Bartholomew Crannell
Bartholomew Noxon
Bartholomew Noxon
Henry Van Der Burgh
Bartholomew Noxon
Richard Davis
Samuel Smith
Isaac Baldwin
Richard Davis
Richard Davis
John Davis
Richard Davis
Richard Davis
William Emott
Richard Davis
John Reade
Richard Davis
William Emott
John Davis
WiUiam Emott
John Davis
John Reade
Ebenezer Badger
John Davis
Ebenezer Badger
James Emott
James Emott
James Emott
William Davies
James Emott
Hubert Van Wagenen
Isaac I. Balding
Thomas L. Davies
George M. Van Kleeck
Junior Warden
Samuel Smith
Bartholomew Crannell
Richard Davis
Isaac Baldwin
Henry Van Der Burgh
Isaac Baldwin
Richard Davis
Richard Davis
Isaac Baldwin
Wilham Emott
Isaac Balding Jr.
Daniel Lefferts
William Emott
Richard Davis
William Emott
John Davis
John Reade
John Davis
William Emott
John Davis
John Reade
Robert Noxon
John Davis
Ebenezer Badger
Robert Noxon
David Brooks
Philo Ruggles
WUliam Davies
James Emott
Hubert Van Wagonen
Isaac I. Balding
Thomas L. Davies
George M. Van Kleeck
Le Grand Dodge
303
{The R e'c or d s ojChrist Church
1884 — 1891 Le Grand Dedge Edward Hazen Parker, M.D
1892 — 1896 Edward Hazen Parker, M.D. George Cornwell
1897 — 1898 George Cornwell P. Frost Spaulding
1899 — 1902 George Cornwell A. Edward Tower
1903 — 1910 George Cornwell John Kelsey Sague
1910 John Kelsey Sague John Calhoun Otis, MJD.
VESTRY^IEN FROM 1773
IN SUCCESSIVE ORDER OF ELECTION
Richard Davis 1773, 1774, 1777, 1789
John Child 1773-1775
John Davis 1773-1781, 1788, 1795, 1798, 1801
JohnFerdonJr 1773
John Medler 1773-1775
Zachariah Ferdon 1773-1776, 1783, 1784
Isaac Baldwin Jr 1773-1785, 1788, 1790-1798
David Brooks 1773, 1811
William Emott 1773-1784, 1789, 1790
Richard Wilkinson 1774
John Bard 1775
Philip I. Livingston 1775
Bartholomew Crannell. , . . 1776
Simon Noxon 1776-1784
EliEmons 1776
Robert Noxon 1776-1788, 1790-1794, 1796, 1797, 1799-
1806, 1808, 1810
Samuel Smith 1777, 1783
Thomas Poole 1777-1784
William Post 1777, 1778
Peter Delamater 1778-1782
Gerard Smith 1779-1782
Ebenezer Badger 1782-1793, 1795-1807
James Pritchard 1784-1789
Henry Mott 1785-1788, 1790-1793
Daniel Lefferts 1785-1789, 1791-1796
Melancthon L. Woolsey. . . 1785, 1786
Richard Davis Jr 1785
Isaac Balding (Sr..?) 1786, 1787
Daniel Smith 1786-1790
304
The Records ofChrist Church
Charles Crooke 1787
Archibald Stewart 1789-1796, 1799-1802
John Mott 1789-1793, 1797, 1799-1801
JohnFerdon 1791,1792
John Z. Ferdon 1793
Cadwallader D. Golden. . .1794, 1795
Anthony HofiFman 1794
Robert Thorn 1794
Stephen Hendricksen 1794, 1795
James Bramble 1795-1798
John Reade 1796-1798, 1802, 1803, 1805
Thomas Mitchell 1796-1800
Stephen Hoyt 1797-1803, 1805, 1809
John Cooke 1798
WiUiam Davies 1799, 1800, 1803-1810
John Crooke 1799
John P. Vemont 1800
Ebenezer Baldwin 1801-1804, 1806-1808
Matthew Caldwell 1801-1805
Peter B. Morgan 1802, 1804, 1806-1808, 1812, 1813
Jabez Bosworth 1803-1811, 1814, 1815
Randall S. Street 1804-1806
John L. Fonda 1806-1809, 1811, 1812, 1815-1820, 1826-183*
James Emott 1807, 1808, 1810, 1811
Philo Ruggles 1807-1811, 1813-1822
Thomas J. Oakley 1809, 1810, 1812, 1816, 1819-1827
Abiel Thompson 1809, 1810
WilUam Bard 1809
Daniel Davis 1810
George P. Oakley 1811-1818, 1828-1831, 1833-1836
Leonard Davis 1811, 1814-1820
Paraclete Potter 1811, 1814
Henry Davis 1812, 1813
Richard Wiley 1812, 1814
Samuel Slee 1812, 1813
Joseph A. Bostwick 1812
Stephen Hoyt 2d 1813
Amaziah Wright 1813-1817
Robert L. Reade 1814-1816
David Phillips 1815
Daniel Hebard 1816, 1818-1825
John Cooper 1817-1820, 1847-1850
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The Records of Christ Church
Thomas L. Davies 1817-1825, 1833, 1835. J846-1852
James Hooker 1817-1858
John Davis 1821-1829
Nathaniel P. TalJmadge. . . 1821-1836
John Stanwix 1821, 1822, 1835-1837
WiUiam T. Belden 1823-1840
Stephen Cleveland 1823
Amaziah Blakeslee 1824, 1825
Richard D. Davis 1826-1853
Eh'as Trivett 1826-1853
Abijah S. Hatch 1830-1832, 1838-1840
Isaac I. Balding 1832, 1834, 1836-1844
Samuel B. Dutton 1837-1841
William Hoyle Jr 1837
Edward K. James 1838-1860
Charles Johnston 1841-1845
Christopher Appleton 1841-1845
Charles Crooke 1842-1845
Virgil D. Bonesteel 1845, 1846, 1854-1856
Ehjah P. Benjamin 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850
Reuben North 1846, 1857-1880
George Clark 1847-1850
James Emott 1851-1856
Richard Bayley 1851
James H. Fonda 1851-1853
George M. Van Kleeck. . . 1852-1860
Stephen M. Buckingham. . 1853-1877
Le Grand Dodge 1854-1879
Benson J. Lossing 1854,1855
George C. Marshall 1856-1860
Benjamin R. Tenney 1857-1868
William A. Davies 1859-1881
Edward H. Parker 1860-1883
George Cornwell 1860-1891
Joseph E. Allen 1861-1871
William M. Goodrich 1869-1880
John Grubb 1872-1889
J. DePuyster Douw 1878-1891
Robert Van Kleeck 1880-1893
P. Frost Spaulding 1881-1896
Albert Tower 1882-1891
William B. Carpenter 1882-1887, 1894, 1895-
306
The Records ofChrist Church
Edgar M. Van Kleeck 1884-1886
Henry M. Curtis 1887-1894, 1896
A. Edward Tower 1888-1898
John K. Sague 1890-1902
Joseph T. Tower 1892
Hiram S. Wiltsie 1892-1899
Sylvester Pier 1892-1898
John C. Otis 1894-1910
Samuel K. Rupley 1896-1903
Frank Hasbrouck 1896, 1897
Jesse J. Graham 1897-1910
John J. Sloan 1898-1902
William H. Hart 1899-1910
Albert A. Simpson 1899-1910
Charles W. Pilgrim 1900-1910
John A. Roosevelt. 1903-1908
Augustus B. Gray 1903-1910
Wilham DeGarmo Smith. .1904-1910
James W. Hinkley 2d 1909-1910
Samuel I. Robinson 1910-
DELEGATES FROM CHRIST CHURCH
TO THE CONVENTIONS OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW YORK^
Appleton, Christopher; 1841-1845
Badger, Ebenezer; 1790, 1807
Balding, Isaac I.; 1845-1847, 1849, 1850, 1852
Belden, WilHam T.; 1825-1828, 1830, 1832-1834, 1836-1840
Benjamin, Elijah Park; 1846
Bonesteel, Virgil D.; 1845, 1846
Boyd, George; 1813
Bramble, James; 1794, 1796, 1797
Brooks, David; 1812
Buckingham, Stephen M., 1853, 1854, 1856-1865, 1867, 1868, 1870,
1872-1876.
Colden, Cadwallader D. ; 1793
ComweU, George; 1867, 1872, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1879, 1885, 1892-1907
1 In 1798, 1799, 1800, Conventions were not held.
In 1803, 1820, 1822, 1829, 1835, Christ Church failed to send
lay delegates.
In 1805 the Convention met in Christ Church.
307
The Records of C hr i s t Church
Curtis, Henry M., 1887, 1889-1891, 1893-1896
Davies, Thomas L.; 1821, 1845, 1847-1856, 1858, 1860, 1866, 1867, 1871
Davies, William; 1816, 1817, 1828, 1830
Davies, William A.; 1836, 1857, 1859, 1861, 1862, 1864, 1865, 1869,
1870, 1873
Davis, Hem-y; 1814
Davis, John; 1785, 1789, 1795, 1796, 1802, 1806, 1808, 1809, 1812, 1813
Dodge, Le Grand; 1858, 1859, 1862, 1866, 1868. 1869, 1874-1879,
1881-1891
Douw, J. DePuyster; 1878-1882, 1884-1886, 1889-1892
Emott, James; 1807, 1811, 1815, 1816, 1818, 1823-1826, 1830, 18S1,
1834, 1841-1843
Emott, James Jr.; 1843, 1844, 1848-1856
Emott, WiUiam; 1787, 1790
Fonda, James H.; 1851
Fonda, John L.; 1807-1810, 1816, 1825, 1827, 1839, 1840
Goodrich, William M.; 1870, 1872, 1873, 1880
Hoyt, Stephen; 1813
James, Edward K.; 1842, 1845, 1848
Johnston, Charles; 1843, 1844
Johnston, John; 1819
Lefferts, Daniel; 1787, 1792, 1796
Lossing, Benson J. ; 1855
Mesier, Peter; 1789
Mott, John; 1791, 1797
North, Reuben; 1869
Oakley, George Peters; 1815
Oakley, Thomas J.; 1811, 1818, 1821, 1826
Otis, John C; 1903-1910
Parker, Edward H.; 1861, 1863-1866, 1868, 1869, 1871, 1876-1878, 1881,
1888
Pier, Sylvester; 1892-1898
Pilgrim, Charles W.; 1902-1907
Potter, Paraclete; 1830
Reade, John; 1795, 1801, 1802, 1805
Reade, Robert L.; 1810
Ruggles, Philo; 1811, 1818
Rupley, Samuel K.; 1899-1901
Sague, JohnK; 1908-1910
Smith, William De Garmo; 1908-1910
Spaulding, P. Frost; 1883
Street, Randall S.; 1816, 1817
308
The Records of Christ Church
Taylor, George; 1817
Tenney, Benjamin R.; 1857, 1860, 1863
Thomas, William B.; 1819
Tower, A. Edward; 1897, 1898, 1900-1902
Trivett, Elias; 1847, 1848
Van Kleeck, George M.; 1871, 1880, 1882, 1883
Van Kleeck, Robert; 1884, 1886-1888
Van Wagenen, Hubert; 1842-1850
Wiltsie, Hiram S.; 1899
Wright, Amaziah; 1813
SECRETARIES OF THE VESTRY
Bartholomew Noxon
1766
No record
1767
—1773
John Davis
1773, August 17
—1782
April 2
William Emott
1782, April 2
—1788
September 2
Ebenezer Badger
1788, September 2
—1790
July 19
Archibald Stewart
1790, July 19
—1797,
April 18
Stephen Hoyt
1797, April 18
—1802,
April 30
Ebenezer Baldwin
1802, April 30
—1805,
April 17
Ebenezer Badger
1805, April 17
—1808,
April 19
John L. Fonda >
1808, April 19
—1810,
June 7
John Davis
1810, June 7
—1811,
April 23.
Paraclete Potter
1811, April 23
—1812,
April 18
Joseph A. Bostwick
1812, April 18
—1813,
— , —
Stephen Hoyt
1813, — , —
,
— , —
Robert L. Reade
1814, April 29
—1816,
— , —
James Hooker
1817, — , —
—1821,
— , —
John H. Davis
1822, — , —
—1823,
— , —
No record
1824, — , —
—1835,
— , —
Richard D. Davis
1836, — , —
,
— , —
No record
1837, — , —
—1841,
— , —
Charles Johnston
1842, January 4 -
—1845,
September 1
Virgil D. Bonesteel
1845, September 11-
—1847,
June 7
Edward K. James
1847, June 7
—1860,
November 12
George M. Van Kleeck
1861, January 14 -
—1883,
December 30
Robert Van Kleeck
1884, September 22
—1892,
November 5
George Cornwell
1892, November 5
—1910,
September 27
William De Garmo Smith
1910, October 13
—
309
The Records ofChrist Church
[Editor's note:
The entries in Vestry Minutes, Volume 1, from August, 1810, to, and
including, 1841, are in the handwriting of the Rector, Dr. Reed.
A Blotter containing notes of proceedings of the vestry from 1809
to 1827, gives the names of the secretaries from 1811 to 1822, the
entries being made in several different hands. Dr. Reed's min-
utes do not mention any of flie secretaries except Richard D. Davis,
and that only once, in 1836. According to tradition, Richard D.
Davis was secretary many years.]
TREASURERS OF THE CORPORATION
John Davis 1773,
Richard Davis 1782,
WiUiam Emott 1788,
Thomas L. Davies 1825,
George Comwell 1864,
Reuben North 1875,
Robert Van Kleeck 1880,
A. Edward Tower 1889,
Robert Van Kleeck 1890,
John K. Sague 1892,
Jesse J. Graham 1906,
December 18 —1782,
April 2 —1788,
September 2—1825,
August 16 —1864,
February 8 —1875,
March 13 —1880,
AprU 3 —1889,
May 25 —1890,
April 19 —1892,
November 13—1906,
February 7 —
April 2
September 2
July 6
January 25
March 13
Aprils
May 25
April 19
November 6
February 7
CLERKS— CHORISTERS— CHOIRMASTERS
William Emott
Mr. Pritchard
Mr. Fox
Jonathon Lewis
Joseph Parker
Mr. Kjiapp
Ebenezer Babcock
Abiel Thompson
Jeremiah SiUcreggs
Gideon Moseley
Warren Skinner
Thomas P. Stoughton
Eliphaz Fay
Clerk
Services suspended 1776-1787
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Chorister
Chorister*
Chorister :
1773—1776
1789— ?
1793— ?
1797—1801
1802
1803—1804
1804—1805
1806
1807—1808
1811—1818
1818—1822
1824—1826
1827—1829
310
The Records oj Chris i Church
Benjamin C. Van Vliet Chorister (approx.) 1830—1850
John Buckley Chorister 1851—1856
John F. Coxhead Chorister 1856—1860
Abel Gunn Chorister 1861—1862
Miss C. H. Osborne (in charge of music) 1862—1863
John F. Coxhead Chorister 1864—1865
? 1865—1866
Herman King Chorister 1866 — 1868
Quartet Choir 1868—1876
Volunteer Chorus 1877—1880
Quartet Choir 1880—1888
Vested Choir 1888—
George W. Halliwell Choirmaster 1888 — 1892
Sylvester Pier Choirmaster 1892 — 1893
Edward W. Valentine Choirmaster 1893 —
The Evolution of the Office of Clerk, Chorister, Choir-
master is Shown in the following Data:
1773, March 9th. The charter conferred upon the Rector of the
parish, "sole power to appoint a Clerk to assist him in per-
forming divine service."
1773. "William Emott exempt from salary payments so long as he
continues Clerk." {Salary Book, 1767-1775.)
Mr. Emott probably officiated until services were suspended
in 1776.
1787. Services resumed under the Rev. Henry Van Dyck.
1789, January 14th. "Mr. Pritchard to be exempt from paying salary
while he is Clerk." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 101.)
1791-1792. Rectorship vacant.
1793, September 3d. Agreed " to give Mr. Fox of the Wallkill £10
per annum as Clerk." (Ibid., p. 177.)
1796, January 5th. Voted "to give a Parish Clerk £8 per annum, a
pew, and exemption from salary payments." (Ibid., p. 198.)
1797, April 20th. Jonathan Lewis, Clerk. Apparently continued to
May 1st, 1801. (Ledger B, p. 84.)
1802, September 9th. Joseph Parker to be paid $10.00 "for tuning
the Psalm up to this time." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 257.)
1803. "Mr, Knapp to be paid $20.00 for his services in setting the
Psalm." (Parish Mss., Treasurer's papers, A, No. 22.)
311
The Records ofChrist Church
1804, January 3d. Mr. Knapp to be paid $10.00 "for singing in the
church six months." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 263.)
1805, January 2d. "Audited the account of Ebenezer Babcock as
Chorister of the Church up to Sunday the 6th day of January
instant." {Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 266.)
1806, December 23d. A committee appointed to "audit the accounts
of Abiel Thompson for his services as Chorister in the Church."
(Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 292.)
1806, December 23d, A committee appointed to "agree with Jere-
miah Silkreggs for his services as Chorister in the Church for the
term of one year." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 291.)
1808, December 25th. Settlement of accounts with Jeremiah Silk-
reggs. (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 304.)
1809, August 17th, to 1810, August 19th, Rectorship vacant.
1810, September 24th. The Rev. John Reed, Philo Ruggles and Abiel
Thompson appointed a committee "to further measures to assist
the music in the church." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 313.)
1811, October 8th. The Rev. John Reed and Philo Ruggles, Esq., ap-
pointed a committee "to agree with Mr. Mosely to officiate as
Clerk:' (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 318.)
1811, December 14th, to 1818, September 1st, Gideon Moseley paid
"for singing." (Ledger C, p. 132.)
1812, April 18th. Mr. Gideon Moseley to be paid "for his seroices
as instruxior of music" (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 321.)
1813, November 20th. Mr. Gideon Moseley "to instruct singing the
ensuing year." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 324.)
1819, February 10th. Voted that the Rev. Mr. Reed is "to spend such
amount as he may think necessary for the support of the singing
in the Church." (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 332.)
1818, November 1st, to 1822, May 1st, a salary paid to Warren Skinner
for "services in the Church." (Ledger C, p. 75.)
It is known by tradition that Warren Skinner sang in Christ
Church.
1824, 1825, 1826. A memorandum written by Dr. Reed, recording
sundry disbursements. Items:
"Mr. Stoughton's salary for the year ending in the fall of 1825."
"Mr. Stoughton's bill for candles for singing school."
"Rent of room for singing school."
(Parish Mss., Later Papers, E, No. 24.)
312
The Records ofChrist Church
Thomas P. Stoughton was for many years a music teacher in
Poughkeepsie. He died March 25th, 1855, aged 66 years.
1826, 1827, 1828, 1829. Expenses of singing school; rent of room,
wood, and oil. {Ledger C, p. 75.)
1827, 1828, 1829. "To Fay for teaching." (Ledger C, p. 75.)
1829. "To fire and oil for singing school, and to paying Mr. Fay."
(Parish Mss., Later Papers, E, No. 25.)
Eliphaz Fay was Principal of the Dutchess County Academy.
He is known to have been a singer.
1880-1850. An approximation of the term of service as Chorister of
Benjamin C. Van Vliet, who died February 25th, 1851.
The approximation is based upon the recollections and traditions
of elderly persons.
1851, July 1st. Report of finance committee of vestry. Salary of
$100.00 paid to "Mr. Buckley." (Parish Mss., Later Papers,
C, No. 18.)
John Buckley was an Englishman, who came to Poughkeepsie
in 1841. He had a bass voice, and entered Christ Church choir.
It is known that he succeeded Mr. Van Vliet as Chorister, and
that he served until May, 1856.
1856-1860. John F. Coxhead, Chorister.
His service in these years is a matter of knowledge with his chil-
dren.
1861, January 14th. "The salary of Mr. Gunn, the organist, to be
raised on account of extra services rendered as organist and
chorister." {Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 93.)
1862, February 17th. A committee appointed "to engage the services
of an organist and chorister." {Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 97.)
1862, April 1st, to 1863, June — . A salary paid to Miss C. H. Osborne.
{Ledger E.)
Miss Osborne was instructor in music at Cottage Hill Seminary.
1863, September 28th. A "leader for the choir" to be procured. {Ves-
try Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 100.)
1864, January 1st, to 1865, July 1st. John F. Coxhead paid a salary
as Chorister. {Ledger E.)
1865, July 1st, to 1866, July 1st. No entries of any salary payments
to a Chorister. (It is possible that the pupils and teachers of
Cottage Hill Seminary composed the choir for this year.)
1866, July 1st, to 1868, July 1st. A salary paid to Herman King as
Chorister. {Ledger E.)
313
The Records ofChrist Church
1868-1876. A paid quartet. (Ledger E.)
1877, February 1st, to 1880, February 1st. A volunteer chorus.
(Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 138.)
1880, February, to 1888, May. A paid quartet. (Ledger E.)
1888, May 13th. Introduction of a vested choir at the first service
held in the new church.
1888, May 13th, to 1892, February 4th. George W. Halliwell, Choir-
master. (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 241.)
1892-1893. Sylvester Pier, Choirmaster. (Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2,
p. 241.)
1893, May 1st. Edward W. Valentine appointed Choirmaster.
(Vestry Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 241.)
SEXTONS
John Lawson
1784
John Lawson
1787
Henry Rutsen
1788
Henry Elhce
1790-1791
John Dusenbury
1792-1798
James Moore
1800-1809
Joseph Cornish
1810
James Moore
1811-1814
Stephen Paten
1815-1818
Abel Gunn
1819-1823
(Amaziah?) Blakeslee
1824-1826
Stephen Ferguson
1826-1842
Thomas Eastmead
1842-1845
Samuel Keynton
1846-1865
William Gibson
1865-1876
Henry Wood
1877-1882
Henry Irving
1882-1886
Henry Wood
1886-1888
Henry Irving
1888-1893
Percy E. Vail
1893-1894
David Brightman
1894-1895
James Palmer
1895-1899
John W. King
1899-1902
George Wilkinson Jr.
1903
John W. King
1903-1905
Charles McDonald
1906—
314
TJi e Records ofChrist Church
ASSISTANT SEXTONS
Charles McDonald
1903-1905
Mackenzie Brittain
1906-1907
John W. King
1908—
ORGANISTS
William Blodgett
1808 —1809
Abel Gunn^
1809?— 1862
Miss C. H. Osborne
1862—1863
Isaac B. Van Vliet
1863—1869
John R. Van Vliet
1869
Isaac B. Van Vliet
1869—1870
Miss Mary Van Vliet
1871
John R. Van Vhet
1872—1879
Miss Frances Flockton
1879—1882
Ira W. Johnson
1882—1901
Harry S. Bock
1902—
ASSISTANTS SINCE 1900
Miss Helen J. Andrus 1902—1904
Miss Florence Hannah 1905—1906
Robert Flagler 1907—
DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONVENTIONS
1785 The first General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
John Davis, of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, one of the three
lay delegates from the Diocese of New York.
1795 The Rev. George H. Spierin, Rector of Christ Church, s
clerical delegate.
1801 John Reade Esq., warden of Christ Church, a lay delegate.
1808 John Reade Esq., a lay delegate.
1826 The Hon. James Emott, warden of Christ Church, a lay delegate.
1829 The Hon. James Emott, a lay delegate.
1 Abel Gunn, born 1800, died 1875. The parish records do
not show in what year Abel Gunn became organist, but it is known
that he filled the position from his boyhood. In Chapter V will be
found data from which the inference may fairly be drawn that he
began his long service in, or soon after, 1809.
315
The Records ojChrist Church
1832 The Rev. John Reed, S.T.D., Rector of Christ Church, analter-
nate clerical delegate.
The Hon. James Emott, a lay delegate.
1835 The Rev. John Reed, S.T.D., a clerical delegate.
The Hon. James Emott, a lay delegate.
1838 The Hon. James Emott, a lay delegate.
1841 The Hon. James Emott, a lay delegate.
1844 The Hon. James Emott, a lay delegate.
1871 The Rev. Philander K. Cady, S.T.D., Rector of Christ Church,
a clerical delegate.
William A. Davies Esq., vestryman of Christ Church, a lay
delegate.
1874 The Rev. Philander K. Cady, S.T.D., a clerical delegate.
William A. Davies Esq., a lay delegate.
1877 William A. Davies Esq., a lay delegate.
1880 WiUiam A. Davies Esq., a lay delegate.
1886 The Rev. Henry L. Ziegenfuss, Rector of Christ Church, a pro-
visional clerical delegate.
1889 The Rev. Henry L. Ziegenfuss, a provisional clerical delegate.
CLERGY
who, before ordination, were affiliated with christ church
The Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, D.D.
Spiritual son of this parish.
Ordained Deacon 1822, May 1st.
Ordained Priest 1824, September 16th.
Consecrated Bishop 1845, September 23d.
The Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D.
Spiritual son of this parish.
Ordained Deacon 1827, July 15th.
Ordained Priest 1828, December 14th.
Consecrated Bishop 1854, November 22d.
The Rev. William Barber Thomas
Born and brought up in this parish; son of John Thomas, M.D.;
prepared for the ministry by the Rev. Dr. John Reed, Rector of
Christ Church.
Ordained Deacon 1821, October 21st.
Ordained Priest 1826, June 12th.
316
The Records ofChrist Church
The Rev. Edward Davis
Born and brought up in this parish; son of Leonard Davis; pre-
pared for the ministry by the Rev. Dr. John Reed, Rector of Christ
Church.
Ordained Deacon 1826, May 2d.
Ordained Priest 1828, August 4th.
The Rev. Homer Wheaton
Prepared for the ministry by the Rev. Dr. John Reed, Rector of
Christ Church.
Ordained Deacon 1841, December 9th.
Ordained Priest 1842, November 13th.
The Rev. Charles A. Maison, D.D.
Born and brought up in this parish; son of General Leonard
Maison.
Ordained Deacon 1847, October 18th.
Ordained Priest 1849, (?)
The Rev. William G. W. Lewis
A denominational minister, confirmed in Christ Church 1870.
Ordained Deacon 1870, October 9th.
Ordained Priest 1871, (?)
The Ven. William Reed Thomas, D.D.
Son of the Rev. William Barber Thomas, and a member of this
parish in the formative years of his life.
Ordained Deacon 1872, June 30th.
Ordained Priest 1872, November 14th.
The Rev. William Charles Grubb
Born and brought up in this parish; son of John Grubb.
Ordained Deacon 1874, March 12th.
(Removed to the Diocese of Albany, while still in Deacon's
Orders. Date of ordination to the Priesthood not obtained.)
The Rev. Dean Richmond Babbitt
Confirmed in Christ Church 1883.
Ordained Deacon 1884, November 16th.
Ordained Priest 1886, July 4th.
The Rev. Eli Draper Stjtcliffe
Candidate for orders from Christ Church.
Ordained Deacon 1885, May 7th.
Ordained Priest 1886, March 25th.
317
The Recolrds of Christ Church
The Rev. Leonard Walter Lott
A denominational minister, confirmed in Christ Church 1884.
Ordained Deacon 1885, December 20th.
(Removed to the Diocese of Rhode Island, while still in Deacon's
Orders. Date of ordination to the Priesthood not obtained.)
The Rev. Martin Kellogg Schermerhorn
A denominational minister, confirmed in Christ Church 1884.
Ordained Deacon 1885, December 20th.
Ordained Priest 1886, March 25th.
The Ven. Walter Hughson
Born and brought up in this parish; son of Walter Hughson, M. D.
Confirmed in Christ Church 1869.
Ordained to the restricted Diaconate 1885, December 27th.
Ordained Priest 1897, May 16th.
The Rev. George Bremner
A denominational minister, confirmed in Christ Church 1887.
Ordained Deacon 1888, May 27th.
Ordained Priest 1889, March 17th.
The Rev. William Payson Evans
A denominational minister, confirmed in Christ Church 1892.
Ordained Deacon 1892, October 27th.
Ordained Priest 1893, May 29th.
The Rev. Arthur Belding Rudd
Confirmed in Christ Church 1888.
Ordained Deacon 1898, June 5th.
Ordained Priest 1899, May 28th.
The Rev. Gilbert Valentine RusselIi
Confirmed in Christ Church 1889.
Ordained Deacon 1900, June 10th.
Ordained Priest 1903, June 7th.
The Rev. Samuel C. Fish
Confirmed in Christ Church 1891.
Ordained Deacon 1907, May 26th.
Ordained Priest 1908, May 28th.
The Rev. George Blackburn Eonkead, 3d
Born and brought up in this parish; son of John Kinkead, M.D.,
and Anna (Dodge) Kinkead.
Confirmed in Christ Church 1894.
Ordained Deacon 1904, May 29th.
Ordained Priest 1904, November 17th.
318
The Records ofChrist Church
THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS
AliBEBT W. FaLLER
Confirmed in Christ Church 1898.
Matriculated at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, N. Y., in 1902,
with the intention of studying for Orders.
Died August 16th, 1905.
Cmtford French
Confirmed in Christ Church 1898.
Member of the class of 1911 of the General Theological Seminary,
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE PARISH RECORDS
Secretary's Records
Three volumes of Vestry Minutes
Volume 1, 1773-1845
Volume 2, 1845-1906
Volume 3, 1906-
Manuscript volume. Church Blotter 1809-1827
Treasurer's Records
1 A parchment bound volume, containing accounts of salary col-
lections 1767-1775. Entries made by John Davis.
2 A manuscript volume, containing accounts of salary collections
in 1768, 1769 and 1771, and of the oflFerings at thirty-one Sunday
services in 1767-1772. Entries made by Richard Davis.
3 A manuscript volume, entitled Vestry Book Kept by John Davis
in the year of our Lord 1773 for Poughkeepsie Church. Entries
from 1772 to 1776.
4 A manuscript volume, entitled Accompts of the Glebe For Pough-
keepsie 1772. Entries made by John Davis.
5 A manuscript volume, entitled An Account of the Charges and
Expenses of Building the Church in Poughkeepsie as Kept By
John Davis. Entries m 1773, 1774, 1775.
6 A manuscript volume, containing pew rent accounts and collec-
tions for minister's salary in 1812, 1813, 1826, 1827.
7 A manuscript volume, containing pew rent accounts and collec-
tions for minister's salary in 1819, 1820, 1821.
8 A manuscript volume, containing pew rent accounts and collec-
tions for minister's salary in 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826.
9 A bound volume, entitled Church Ledger A, containing ac-
counts with individual parishioners 1769-1793. Indexed.
319
The Records of C hr i s t Church
10 A bound volume, entitled Church Ledger B, containing ac-
counts with individual parishioners 1793-1807. Indexed.
11 A bound volume, entitled Church Ledger C, containing ac-
counts with individual parishioners 1807-1832. Not indexed.
12 A bound volume, entitled Treasurer's Book E, containing gen-
eral parochial accounts 1860-1881.
[Editor's note: The Day Book kept by William Emott, treasurer
1788-1825, is referred to in 8, 10, 11, but is now lost.
The Day Book, or Church Ledger D 1825-1860. was lost
in the fire which destroyed the house of Thomas L. Davies,
treasurer 1825-1864.]
13 A bound volume, entitled Ledger B, all accounts, containing
entries 1880-1889.
14 A bound volume, entitled Daij Book B, containing general
parochial accounts 1880-1891.
15 A bound volume, entitled Cash, containing general parochial
accounts, 1892-1904.
16 A bound volume, entitled Cash, containing general parochial
accounts from January 2d, 1904.
17-24 8 small volumes, containing pew rent accounts 1860-1899.
25 A small bound volume, containing Dr. Eeed's account of re-
ceipts and disbursements, 1828, in behalf of the burying ground.
26 Volume containing the stubs of the certificates issued by the
Corporation for the erection of the second church building in 1834.
27 Volume containing the accoimt of the building fund for the
third church, from May 9th, 1887, to February 9th, 1889.
Parish Manuscripts
Nearly 600 separate documents, supplementary to the records of
the secretary and treasurer.
The earliest of these papers is dated 1763, and, thereafter, they
accumulated gradually for a century.
When the church on Market street was abandoned, they were
removed to the new church and forgotten.
In 1902 the present Rector, the Rev. Alexander G. Cummins,
rediscovered them, in the organ-motor room, in a condition of
much disorder.
They were then cleaned and mounted by Miss Cornelia Dodge
Kinkead and Miss Helen Wilkinson Reynolds.
After that, they were sorted by subject and numbered and a
catalogue of them made.
320
The Records of C hr i St Church
This present volume frequently quotes them and gives reference
to them by the numbers of the catalogue. Without the fortunate
discovery of these papers by the Rev. Dr. Cummins, the early his-
tory of this parish could not have been written with the fuUness
that they have made possible.
Parish Register
A A manuscript volume, entitled The Parish Register of the
Christnings of Christ Church in Poughkeepsie Commencing
19th Octr 1766 By William Emott.
WUliam Emott was very early the clerk of the Church, and
it was the duty of the clerk to keep the register of baptisms.
The entries in this volume are from October 19th, 1766, to
December 11th, 1800. To, and including, August 22d, 1785,
the writing is that of Mr. Emott. The remaining entries are
partly in an unidentified hand and partly in that of the Rev.
John J. Sayrs.
B A manuscript volume, containing records of baptisms, mar-
riages and burials, 1796, 1797, 1798, all in the writing of the
Rev. John J. Sayrs, and bearing his signature.
C A manuscript volume, endorsed A correct register of Bap-
tisms, Marriages & funerals, during mij ministry at Pough-
keepsie, Barzillai Bulkley. The entries are from September
30th, 1806, to July 30th, 1809.
The three manuscript volumes, above, have been fastened
to the fly-leaf of the first bound volume of the register. No.
1, below.
1 A bound volume. Parish Register, No. 1, purchased by the
Rev. Philander Chase in the autumn of 1801. In the front
of the volume is the following preface:
Be it observed that The following book of records was com-
menced on the 20th day of September in the year of our Lord
1801, 28 years after the date of the letters of incorporation to
the vestry of Christ's Church in the town of Poughkeepsie,
county of Dutchess, & state of New York.
During this interim the office of Rector was successively
filled by the Rev'd Messrs. John Beardsley, Henry Van Dyck,
* * * Speering, John Sayrs, & Philander Chase; all of whom,
excepting the latter, moved away without leaving behind them
any complete account of baptisms, births, &c, which took place
during their respective rectorships.
321
The Records ofChrist Church
Of these neglects a great derangement was the consequence.
A few persons, it should seem, in proper time appUed to the
Clerk of the Church & had the births and baptisms of their
children regularlj"^ recorded in a book kept for the purpose; but
the number who did so bore so small proportion to those who
neglected, that it was thought most fitting the importance of
the thing to go back to the beginning & to bring up all the
records to the present day.
But in this work there readily appeared many diflBculties &
some impossibilities. Many had died, many had moved away,
and the private records of some had been taken out of the way.
Still, the work, notwithstanding its unavoidable defects,
was thought so necessary for the good order and prosperity of
the Church & society at large, that no diflficidties were deemed
suflBcient to deter from the performance of it.
Accordingly, on ye 26th day of Sepr the retrospective work
was begun; and on ye — of — anno Domini all remediable
deficiencies were supplied. The dates of birth were taken
from family records, & those of Baptisms & by whom per-
formed from the most authentic documents which could be
obtained.
It was thought proper that heads of families should give in
the dates of their births, together with the dates of the births
and baptisms of their own children, whenever they could be
ascertained, whether those children were present in, or absent
from, the parish, or whether they had been removed by death.
This has occasioned some repetition, where the children of
aged parents have remained and become heads of famihes in
the parish; but this, in some measure, was inseparable from
perspicuity.
It is to be observed also that the names of none but those
of whose baptisms the Church entertained no doubt are insert-
ed in this book.
This volume contains:
"An Account of heads of famihes now living in & belonging
to ye parish of Christ's Church." (Compiled by the Rev.
Philander Chase.)
Baptisms 1799-1847
Marriages 1800-1847
Confirmations 1846
List of Communicants for 1846, 1847; (compiled by the
Rev. Homer Wheaton).
322
The Records ofChrist Church
2 A bound volume, Parish Register, No. 2, containing:
Baptisms 1847-1887
Cqnfirmations 1847-1887
Marriages 1847-1888
Burials 1847-1888
Communicants 1847-1859
D Supplementary to Parish Register, No. S, is a volume of
burial records, the entries in which extend from October 8th,
1824, to November 8th, 1854. The entries were made by
the several sextons of Christ Church and include mention
of interments conducted by them, not only in the English
biu-ying groimd, but in the Dutch yard and in family
enclosures at scattered points, the sextons having apparently
been village undertakers.
S A bound volume, Parish Register, No. 3, containing:
Baptisms 1888-1900
Confirmations 1888-1900
Marriages 1888-1900
Burials 1888-1900
4 A bound volume. Parish Register, No. Jf., containing:
Baptisms 1900-
Confirmations 1901-
Marriages 1900-
Burials 1900-
Communicants 1905-
[Editor's note:
In America, in the colonial period, in the absence of an Episco-
pate, confirmation was unobtainable.
In 1787, immediately after his consecration. Bishop Provoost
promised a visitation to Christ Church, but there is no evidence
that he came until 1793, when he reported to the Diocesan Con-
vention that he had been to Poughkeepsie, but did not state whether
he had administered confirmation.
When the American Episcopate was first established, large
numbers of persons were confirmed, but many years followed in
which the Bishops seldom administered the rite; they valued their
Episcopal powers only in connection with ordination. Bishop
White, himself, never received confirmation.^
There is reason to believe that Bishop Moore confirmed in
Christ Church in 1805. Between 1805 and 1855 confirmation was
1 McConnell's History of the American Episcopal Church,.
p. 282.
323
The Records ofChrist Church
held here thirteen recorded times.' Since 1855 the visitations
have been annual.
Up to 1846 the names of those confirmed are not recorded and
the communicant membership of Christ Church is not accurately
known.
In 1846 the Rev. Homer Wheaton became Rector and insti-
tuted a communicant register, which he continued through his
rectorate.
The list begun in 1847 by Mr. Wheaton's successor, the Rev.
Samuel Buel (Rector 1847-1866), ends in 1859.
Dr. Cady, Dr. Ziegenfuss and Mr, Weikert, whose rectorates
extended from 1866 to 1900, made no entries in the Register of the
names of communicants, as such, but recorded confirmations.
From August 1st, 1858, to March 11th, 1900, one thousand
one hundred and seventy-three persons were confirmed and, in
1905, the editor of this present volume compiled a list of these
1173 names, with annotations regarding each individual's relation
to the parish in 1905, so far as careful enquiry could determine
the same.
The Rector of the parish endorsed this list, and entered in Vol-
ume 4 of the Register the names of all those who, in 1905, were
known to claim membership in Christ Church, with the addition of
the names of those confirmed persons who had been received into
the parish from outside sources.
This list of 1905 is subject to the inaccuracies of any like work,
but is as correct as conscientious efifort could make it.
In 1811, Dr. Reed reported to the diocese seventy communicants
in Christ Church; in 1910 the number is seven hundred and twenty-
.eight.]
GIFTS AND MEMORIALS
Forming Part of the Fabric or Furnishings
Of the Present Church Building
WINDOWS
A subject scheme for the windows was prepared by the architect
when the church was built, the name of the parish forming the basis
for the plan. With but two exceptions the windows are all the work
of Clayton and Bell, of London, and were placed by Maitland Arm-
strong and Company, of New York.
1 Journal of the Convention of the Diocese of New York, 1805-
1855 and Parish Register.
The Records oj Christ Church
The Chancel Window
Placed in 1888; given by surviving children of the Rt. Rev. Alonzo
Potter, and of the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter. Consists of a rose window :
subject, "Majesty"; and of three Gothic lancets: subjects, "The Good
Shepherd," between St. James and St. John.
Inscription on dexter light,— "Alonzo Potter, III Bishop of Pennsyl-
vania, 1845-1865. Born July 6, 1800. Died July 4, 1865."
Inscription on sinister light, — "Horatio Potter, VI Bishop of New
York, 1854-1887. Born February 9, 1801. Died January 2, 1887."
The West Window
Placed in 1890; given by Mr. Albert Tower. Consists of three Gothic
lancets : subject, the story of the Life of Christ from the Annunciation
to the Ascension. At Easter 1901 the sons of Mr. Albert Tower placed
below this window a tablet, dedicating the window to the memory of
their father and their mother. Inscription,^"To the Glory of God and
to the Sacred Memory of Albert Tower, November 8, A.D., 1817,
December 24, A.D. 1891, and Anna Tower, August 28, A.D. 1828,
May 31, A.D. 1897, This Window is Dedicated. The Righteous Live
forevermore; Their Reward is with the Lord, And the Care of Them
is with the Most High."
Windows in the North Aisle
Events in the Public Ministry of Christ
1 Placed in 1888; given by Mrs. John Reade Stuj^vesant and her
children, — Mrs. Robert Sanford (Helen M. Hooker Stuyvesant), Mrs.
Francis Butler (Katharine Livingston Stuyvesant), John Reade
Stuyvesant 2d, and Miss Anna Elizabeth Stuyvesant.
Subject, Christ and the Children. Inscription, — "Of Such is the
Kingdom of Heaven . " "In Memory of John Reade Stuyvesant. Born
June 10, 1798. Died December 8, 1853."
2 Placed in 1890; given by William Gibson. Subject, the Raising
of Lazarus. Inscription, — "When He thus had Spoken He Cried with a
Loud Voice, Lazarus Come Forth." "Jane Gibson 1855. Mary
Gibson 1886. Mary Gibson Richards 1888. William Gibson 1898."
By the courtesy of Guy C. Bayley, M.D.. William Gibson's own name
was added, after his death, to those already on the window.
3 Placed in 1889; given by Roland R. Dennis. Subject, tlie Trans-
figuration. Inscription, — "James McKim Dennis, Died October 22,
1882. Cyrus Cornell Dennis, Died December 30, 1884."
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V Placed in 1889; given by John C. Otis, M.D., and Katharine Havi-
land Otis, his wife. Subject, the Raising of Jairus Daughter. In-
scription, — "Damsel, I Say Unto Thee, Arise." "Annie S. Otis, April
21, 1884."
5 Placed in 1888; subject, the Sermon on the Mount. Inscription, —
"Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it." "In Mem-
ory of Edward Rollinson. Born July 6, 1860. Died February 20,
1888."
Edward Innis Rollinson was a communicant of the Episcopal Church;
he died of yellow fever at Georgetown, British Guiana, South America,
and his body could not be brought home for burial. The window was
given by his mother, Mrs. Joseph Rollinson, and his sisters, Mrs. Henry
BarroU, Mrs. Henry Booth, Mrs. Louis Sweeny and Mrs. Morris
Poucher.
Windows in the South Transept
Old Testament Prophetic Types
1 The west light; not yet placed. Subject assigned, the Creation.
2 The south window. Placed in 1889; given by Mrs. Adolphus
Hamilton. Consists of a rose window: subject, a Madonna and
Child; and of three Gothic lancets: subject, a Jesse Tree, the ances-
tral line of Christ. Inscription, — "To the Glory of God and ia Mem-
ory of Adolphus Hamilton."
3 An east light. Placed in 1908; given by Mrs. Charles H. Buck-
ingham. Subject, Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac. Inscription, —
"My Son, God will provide Himself a Lamb." "In Loving Memory of
Charles Hemy Buckingham. September 13th, 1842. May 12th, 1904."
4 An east light. Placed in 1903; given by Mrs. William B. Carpen-
ter. Subject, the Brazen Serpent. Inscription, — "Moses Made a
Serpent of Brass and Put It upon a Pole." "William B. Carpenter.
November 26, 1843. February 7, 1902."
5 An east light. Placed in 1897; given by the Sunday School and its
friends. Subject, the Translation of Elijah. Inscription, — "I pray
Thee let a double portion of Thy Spirit be upon Me." "To the Glory
of God and in Loving Memory of Robert Van Kleeck. July 19, 1841.
Sept. 23, 1893."
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The Records ofChrist Church
Windows in the North Transept
Hymns sung by the Primitive Christian Church and Incorporated
in the Prayer Book Offices for Morning and Evening Prayer
1 An east hght. Placed in 1890; given by the King's Daughters
Subject, the Magnificat. Inscription, — "My soul Doth Magnify the
Lord and My Spirit Hath Rejoiced in God my Saviour."
2 An east light. Placed in 1908; given by the Rev. Walter Mitchell
and Amy Carpenter Mitchell, his wife. Subject, the Nunc Dimittis.
Inscription, — "Lord, Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart in Peace."
"To the Glory of God and in Memory of Pliilipina Fields Carpenter."
Mrs. Carpenter's body was interred in a burying ground of the Friends
in New England and, according to the custom of the Friends, the
grave was not marked. This window fulfilled the wish of her daughter,
Mrs. Mitchell, that her name should be perpetuated. Mrs. Mitchell,
at her death, entrusted to her husband the placing of the window, and
a further touch of feeling is added to the sentiment attached to it
by the fact that, the day it was unveiled, Mr. Mitchell's funeral
service was held in the church.
3 The north window. Placed in 1890; given by Mrs. George M.
Van Kleeck and Mrs. Edgar M. Van Kleeck. Consists of a rose window
and three Gothic lancets. Subject, the Te Deum. Inscription, —
"When Thou Hadst Overcome the Sharpness of Death Thou Didst
Open the Kingdom of Heaven to All Believers." "In Memoriam 1890.
George M. Van Kleeck. Edgar M. Van Kleeck."
4 A west light, not yet placed. Subject assigned, the Benedictus.
5 A west Hght. Placed in 1901; given by Mrs. Benjamin R. Tenney?
Subject, the Benedicite. Inscription, — "O Ananias, Azarias, & Misael'
Bless ye The Lord." "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of
Benjamin Rowe Tenney. March 28, 1822. December 13, 1898.'*
This window is of American glass; designed and made by Maitland
Armstrong and Company of New York.
Windows in the Ambulatory
On the south wall. Placed in 1888; given by the Sunday School, as-
sisted by Mrs. Albert Tower. Seven small lights; subjects, "the
Seven Angels who stand in the Presence of God." Four lancets,
representing the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael
and St. Uriel. Three quatre-foils, representing the three angels, un-
327
The Records of Christ Church
named in Christian art, bearing insignia of the Trinity before whom
they stand.
Over ambulatory door. Placed in 1897; given by William B. Carpen-
ter. Subject, one of Raphael's angel heads. Inscription, — "In
Loving Memory of Virginia Carpenter. April 20, 1878. November
16, 1882."
Windows in the Baptistry
Placed in 1897; given by James ^W. Hinkley. Seven small lights;
subjects, baptismal types, — Noah, Patriarch, representmg the Ark;
Moses, Patriarch, representing the Red Sea; Aaron, Priest, represent-
ing the Cloudy Pillar; St. John the Baptist, representing the Baptism
of Christ; St. Philip, representing the Baptism of the Eunuch; St.
Peter, representing the Baptism of Cornelius; St. Paul, representing
the Baptism of the Jailer.
A brass plate, beneath the middle one of the seven windows, marks
them all. Inscription,— "In Loving Memory of Mary A. Hinkley.
February 14, 1831— March 18, 1896."
Windows in the Main Vestibule
Four small lancets; subjects assigned, the Four Evangelists.
Two lights in the east wall, placed in 1888; given by the Sunday School,
assisted by Mrs. Albert Tower. Subjects, St. Matthew and St. Mark.
Two lights in the west wall, not yet placed. Subjects, St. Luke and
St. John.
Windows in the Cloister Aisle
Four small lights; placed in 1888; given by the Sunday School, as-
sisted by Mrs. Albert Tower. Subjects, the Latin Fathers of the
Church,— St. Gregory, St. Augustine, St. Jerome and St. Ambrose.
The Jeweled Cross
A lancet in the west end of the nave, near the peak of the roof, not
included in the original window scheme. It was cut as a ventilator,
and was filled at first with plain glass. In 1889 stained glass was placed
in it, the work of Maitland Armstrong and Company. The design of
a cross was selected by Dr. Ziegenfuss, who named the window the
"Jeweled Cross" from its rich coloring. It was the gift of the King's
Daughters.
The Windows in the Roof
Cut for light and ventilation, after plans by William A. Potter. Filled
with clouded glass from the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company.
Given by the Ladies' Aid Society in 1895.
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The Records ofChrist Church
ECCLESIASTICAL FURNISHINGS
The Altar. Given in 1888, by the Ladies' Aid Society.
The credence-table. Given in 1888, by the King's Daughters.
The Bishop's chair. Given in 1888, by Mrs. S. C. Abel. Inscription,
"In Loving Memory of J. Grace & Adele A. Abel. The Gift of Theif
Mother."
The sedilia. Given in 1906, by Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham.
The Altar-rail. Given in 1888, by Le Grand Dodge.
The choir-stalls and rood-screen. Given in 1888, by the Ladies
Aid Society.
The eagle lectern. Given in 1888, by surviving children of Charlei
Crooke, — Mrs. James Emott (Helen Mary Crooke), John J. Crooke,
Miss Julia Crooke, Robert Crooke, Lewis Crooke, Mrs. Augustus
Doughty (Margaret Livingston Crooke).
Inscription, — "In Memoriam. 1870-1887."
Those in whose memory it was given were :
Charles Crooke; deceased October 11, 1875.
Anna Neher, wife of Charles Crooke; deceased October 14, 1870.
Cornelia Crooke, wife of Le Grand Dodge; deceased November
15, 1880.
Henry Suydam Crooke; deceased April 27, 1884.
Sarah Elizabeth Reynolds, wife of Lewis Crooke; deceased Novem-
ber 6, 1885.
Lewis Crooke; deceased December 28, 1887.
The brass pulpit. Given at Easter, 1906, by Mrs. James W. Hinkley.
The brass Utany-desk. Given at Easter, 1907, by Mrs. Charles H.
Buckingham.
The font. Given in 1845, by ladies of the parish.
Hymn-boards. Two for the nave, given in 1888. Two for the
transepts, given at Easter, 1901. AU four given by Dr. and Mrs.
John C. Otis.
CHURCH PLATE
A flagon, not used. Made in the first quarter of the nineteenth cen-
tury by John W. Forbes, silversmith, of New York City.
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The Records ofCkrist Church
Two chalices. Not used. No hall-marks. Probably date from Dr.
Reed's rectorate. Possibly represent the silver of the beaker and
two cups presented to the Church in 1775.
A paten. Not used. Made by Ball, Tompkins & Black of New York
City, a firm in existence 1839-1851.
A paten, now used. Made in the first quarter of the nineteenth cen-
tury by John W. Forbes, silversmith, of New York City.
Two silver cruets. Given by Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham. In-
scription, — "Presented to Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Easter,
1907."
A chalice and a paten. Given by Mrs. Charles M. Niles and Miss Helen
Choate Parker. Inscription,— "To the Glory of God and in loving
memory of Edward Hazen Parker and Sarah Olcott his wife. Given
by their daughters, Easter, 1897."
A carved and jeweled chalice. Given by the Rev. George Blackburn
Kinkead and Miss Cornelia Dodge Kinkead at Easter, 1905. Inscrip-
tion,— "A.M.D.G. In Memoriam Le Grand Dodge, Natus 1815,
Obit 1892."
A chalice. Given by Mrs. James W. Hmkley. Inscription,— "Deo
Gratias. Datum Ecclesiae Christi, Poughkeepsie, Neo-Eboracensi
Die Nativitatis Domini MCMVI."
A spoon. Given by Miss Jane L. Hinkley in 1907.
Two silver alms-basins. Given by Mrs. John Reade. Inscription,—
"A donation to Christ Church from Catherine Reade 1818."
Two silver alms-basins. Given by Mrs. James Hooker. Inscription,
"Presented to Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, by Helen S. Hooker.
Christmas, 1870."
Two silver alms-basins. Given anonymously. Inscription,— "Pre-
sented to Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Easter. 1908."
BRASSES
Altar-cross, and two flower-vases. Given anonymously at Easter-
Tide, 1877.
Two flower-vases. Given by Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham at Christ-
mas, 1906.
330
The Records ofChrist Church
Altar-desk. Given by Miss Charlotte Davies in October, 1877; im-
ported by her from London. Inscription, — "Presented to Christ
Church, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., by C. D."
Alms-basin, Given by Mrs. John Thompson at Easter, 1878, in
memory of her father, James Bailey, of Plattsburgh, N. Y.
Baptismal ewer. Given by a Sunday School class. Inscription, — ■
"Easter, 1885. Mary J. AUen, Teacher. Julia Sague. Millie Hemze.
Hattie Howard. Tillie Sweet. Etta Delmar. Mary Rupley. Mary
Page. Carrie Baumbusch. Mary Ranns. Minnie Weyant. Nettie
Bloomer. Annie Atkins. Kittie Tucker. Katie Pike."
Processional cross. Given by Augustus Doughty, Peter B. Hayt,
James G. Porteous M.D. and James L. Williams in 1894. Inscrip-
tion, — "In Memoriam Ven. Henry L. Ziegenfuss, D.D., Rector of
Christ Church 1875-1894."
BOOKS
Altar service-book. Inscription, — "Presented by Albert Edward
Tower, Easter, 1896."
Lectern Bibles. At Easter, 1889, a Bible was given by Mrs. John
Kinkead and Miss Edith Hamilton, in memory of their father,
Adolphus Hamilton, which was in continuous use for twenty-one years.
At Easter, 1910, a Bible was given by Mrs. Charles J. Meade, in memory
of her father. Inscription, — "In Memoriam William John Smith.
Obit January 10, 1910. Easter Day, 1910."
Litany -desk service-book. Given by Mrs. Henry T. Wilson, 189 (?).
Inscription, — "In Memoriam Edward Livingston Van Buren. March
10th, 1873."
TABLETS
Cornwell In Loving Memory of
Placed in 1904 Antoinette CornweU
Who Died May Ninth MCMIV
"Make Her to be Numbered
With Thy Saints
In Glory Everlasting."
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The Records ofChrist Church
Davies Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Placed in 1907 I. H. S.
1763 William Davies 1857
Warden and Vestryman for 19 years
and
1792 General Thomas L. Davies 1880
His son
Warden and Vestryman for 47 years
Reverently presented to Christ Church
By their Great-Great-Grandson and Great-Grandson
Peter Townsend Coxe
Son of
Macgrane Coxe and Lena Townsend Crawford Coxe
1907
For they rest from their labours.
Parker
Placed in 1899
In
Memoriam
Edward Hazen Parker
M. D.
March 7, 1823
November 10, 1896,
For many years a
Faithful and Devout
Communicant, Vestryman
And Warden of this Church.
Phinney
Placed in 1893
To the
Glory of God
And In
Loving Memory Of
Lydia
Ingraham Phinney.
332
The Records ojChrist Church
Potter
Placed in 1904 This Tablet is placed here
to commemorate the ministry within these walls of
The Rev'd EHphalet Nott Potter, D.D., LL.D.
Son of the Right Reverend Alonzo Potter D.D., LL.D.
Sometime President of Union University & later of Hobart College.N.Y.
who during a vacancy in the Rectorship of the parish
in the year 1900
oflSciated here with signal acceptance and
unwearied devotion.
Born, September 20, 1836. Died February 6, 1901.
"And I raised up of your sons for Prophets, saith the Lord."
Amos ii, 11.
Reed In Memory
Placed in 1845 Of
John Reed, D.D.
Died 6th July 1845;
Aged 68 years
Thirty-five years the faithful
and devoted
Rector of this Church.
Erected by the Vestry,
in testimony of the universal affection
and veneration of the Parish.
Reynolds L H. S.
Placed in 1901 In Loving Memory
Of
John Richardson Rej'nolds
March 17, A.D. 1847
April 30, A.D. 1889
I Know That My
Redeemer Liveth.
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The Records of C hr i s t Church
g^jgg^; To the Glory of God
Placed in 1894 >i<
In Loving Memory Of
William I. Street
1808-1863
and his wife
Susan Watts Kearney
1818-1893
"Be thou faithful unto death
and I will give thee a crown of Life."
Erected by their children,
William A. Street & Anna Livingston Morton.
OTHER GIFTS
The Ziegenfuss Memorial Library.
After the death of Dr. Ziegenfuss two of his devotedly attached friends,
John Calhoun Otis, M.D., and the late Putnam Frost Spaulding, were
the leaders of a movement to keep intact his library of three thousand
volumes and place it in the custody of the Church. The hbrary was
purchased May 23d, 1894, from the executors of Dr. Ziegenfuss's estate,
for $2,500.00, and, later, was formally presented to Christ Church, as a
memorial to Dr. Ziegenfuss, by the Library Association formed by Dr.
Otis and Mr. Spalding. The presentation of the library was made in
the name of:
Henry Booth Samuel K. Rupley
George Cornwell John K. Sague
Irving Elting Putnam Frost Spaulding
Mrs. Irving Elting Mrs. Charles W. Swift
Peter B. Hayt Hudson Taylor
John Kinkead, M.D. The Rev. Samuel A. Weikert
Edward T. Mason The Rev. J. C. S. Weills
John C. Otis, M.D. James L. Williams
Sylvester Pier Hiram S. Wiltsie
Mosaic floor, in main vestibule of the church. Given by Mrs. Albert
Tower in 1897.
Large photograph of a portrait of the Rev. John Reed, S. T. D. Pre-
sented in 1906 by his great-grandson, the Hon. Macgrane Coxe. Hung
in the parish house.
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The Records of C hr i s t Church
Large, antique, oil painting. Given at Easter, 1903, by Mr. John W.
Dale. Subject, the appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene on the
first Easter morning. Hung in the parish house,
MEMORANDA OF REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
Made to Christ Church
The Gift of Mrs. Charles H. Buckingham
In the Church
1906
A quartered oak floor. New Axminster carpet. New hassocks. Pew
cushions renovated. Lower pew partitions cut out. Mosaic floors in
north and south transept vestibules. Oak entrance doors cleaned and
varnished. New steam heating system, with increased capacity and
equipment. Full electric lighting system and fixtures.
Upper portion of choir-screen, with the rood, removed. Carved oak
§edilia. New Altar-hangings and curtains for chancel wall. Two cut
glass vases for the Altar. Two brass vases for the Altar. Lectern,
Altar-rail and Altar-brasses done over.
Carpet protector of heavy duck for chancel floor, when chancel is
being used other than for Church services. A supply of fibre plant
saucers for protection of chancel carpet, on occasion of festival decora-
tions. Two umbrella racks for main vestibule. Miscellaneous minor
repairs to walls, pews, doorways, windows, etc,
1907
Two silver cruets for the celebration of the ;Holy Communion and a
brass htany-desk, at Easter.
1908
A memorial stained glass window.
' In the Parish House
1906
New steam heating system throughout, with increased capacity and
equipment. New plumbing system throughout, including the addition
of a forty-gallon boiler supplying running hot water for all basins.
Three toilet rooms, finished with tiled floors and wainscoting, steel
ceilings and side walls, marble panelings, combination gas and elec-
tric lighting, plate glass incidental fixtures, four dozen hand towels,
etc.
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The Records ofChrist Church
New room, for general parish uses, made from unfinished portions of
cellar; finished in hard wood, with steel ceiling, combination gas
and electric lighting and large lockers; one new window cut, three
old windows enlarged, window areas rebuilt and new area drains made.
New floor laid in the choir-vestry; choir- vestry painted and kalso-
mined; chimney repaired; new lockers added; a door cut into the
cellar, &c.
Dark cellar passage from choir-vestry to new room finished in hard
wood, with steel ceiling, and made into a light hallway. Kitchen
enlarged by the removal of old partition walls and winding stairs;
new floor laid; broad staircase built; one window enlarged, another
cut in area door; all areas rebuilt and redrained; new electric lights
added; the room painted; dumbwaiter to parish house put in; three
folding Mission screens, new range, new sink, new refrigerator and new
cooking utensils provided.
Window sashes in Sunday School room rehung; floor stained; three
Mission tables, three Mission folding screens, 150 folding chairs, a hand
truck and five portable coat racks provided.
Ambulatory floor done over; walls painted, woodwork treated; new
lockers built; large skylight ventilator cut.
Hard wood floor laid in the study; study walls painted; fireplace
retiled ; new gas fixtures put in.
Hard wood floor laid in the robing-room; robing-room walls painted;
two lockers added, new plumbing fixtures installed; large skylight
ventilator cut.
1907
A skylight cut and large windows made in the study. A door and a
landscape window cvit in ambulatory between church and parish
house.
1908
150 camp chairs.
Miscellaneous
1906
A connection with the Carroll street sewer instituted and improved
connection made with Academy street.
Roof of church and roof of parish house repaired, and copper vaUeys
added. Copper gutters put on roof of parish house and of study . All
y 336
The Records of Christ Church
stone steps and portions of other stone work pointed. Front en-
trance steps entirely rebuilt, on a foundation of crushed stone. East
lawn filled in; main drive and side path regravelled. Road cut from
Carroll street to kitchen and cellar entrances. Lattice enclosure built
near cellar area; kitchen area storm door rebuilt; north transept area
cemented and new drain laid from it, part of cellar floor cemented;
new coal bin built.
Ornamental trees planted.
1907
Walls of church and tower pointed. Copper gutters put on the church.
Circle drive repaired and graded. New footpath made on north side.
A flag sidewalk laid on the Montgomery street boundary of the church
square.
Trees and shrubs set out.
1908
A flag sidewalk, curb and gutter laid on the Carroll street boundary
of the church square.
A flag pole erected on the north side of the square, with flag.
Trees and shrubs set out.
1910
The sidewalk on the Academy street boundary of the church square
relaid.
Shrubs set out.
A vacuum cleaner provided.
ENDOWMENT FUND
Christ Church receives the income from the following invested funds :
Under the will of Mrs. Walter Trivett a fund was
received in 1847, the income from which the will
du-ected should be used "for the support of aged
poor persons." $2,000.00
Under the will of John Guy Vassar a fund was re-
ceived in 1890, the income from which the will direc-
ted should be used "for the purchase of books,
tracts, papers, etc. for the Sunday School." 476 25
337
The Records of C hr i s t Church
Under the will of Mrs. Edgar M. Van Kleeck a fund
was received in 1899, the income from which the
will directed should be used for "setting apart and
keeping free for the use of strangers, perpetually,
one of the largest pews in the church edifice, well
located, and keeping the same sufficiently provided
with books and other comfortable pew furniture;
and in case of failure to observe and keep the said
condition, said sum shall be forfeited." $3,000 . 00
Under the will of William B. Carpenter a fund was
received m 1902, to be known as "The Virginia Car-
penter Fund," the income from which the will di-
rected should be used for "refreshments for the
children of the Sunday School at their yearly Christ-
mas festival and at their yearly summer picnic." 500 . 00
The Rectory Maintenance Fund; a gift in 1902
from Mrs. Martha Barnard Jones. 500 . 00
Total $6,476.25
The General Endowment Fund
The General Endowment Fund of the parish was established by the
Rector and the vestry in February, 1905, since which date it has
grown to be $2,694.96, by the accumulation of many small sums from
scattered sources. The following rules were adopted by the vestry
for the government of this fund :
Rule 1
All funds placed by gift, bequest, or the action of the Rector and
Vestry in this Fund shall be invested : First, in Savings Banks approved
by the State of New York; Secondly, in approved bonds, recommended
by the Finance Committee, and approved by the President of the
Poughkeepsie Savings Bank and the President of the Farmers' and
Manufacturers' National Bank of Poughkeepsie, jointly.
Rule 2
This Fund shall remain intact until it shall have reached the sum of
$10,000.00, the interest being added to the Fund and reinvested each
year as provided for in Rule 1. After the investment fund reaches the
sum of $10,000.00, one-half the interest may be used as the Rector and
Vestry may determine, the other half shall be reinvested and added to
the principal as specified in Rule 1. After the invested funds reach
338
The Records oj Christ Church
the sum of $25,000.00, the interest may be used as the Rcetor and
Vestry may determine, except ten per cent of the total interest, which
shall be reinvested as provided for in Rule 1.
Rule 3
All sums given for searching the Register of the Church, for certifi-
cates, for the use of the church at weddings or funerals, and at least
one plate collection each year, shall be added to and become a part of
this Endowment Fund, — as shall all bequests made directly and speci-
fically for the Fund.
Rule 4
The form of bequest shall be : I give and bequeath to the Rector and
Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with the Protestant
Episcopal Church of the State of New York, commonly known as
Christ Church, the sum of dollars, to constitute and form a
part of a Permanent Endowment Fimd, whereof the interest and in-
come only shall be used for, and apphed to, the purposes of said Chiu-ch.
Rule 5
The Clerk of the Vestry shall procure and keep a suitable book in
which shall be entered all bequests, with the name of the donor, all
sums applied to this Fund, and from what source derived, and also
when, and how, invested. He shall also inscribe in the beginning of
said book the resolution creating this Fund, and the rules governing it.
Since the establishment of the General ^Endowment Fund, two
memorial gifts have been pledged:
The Louisa Hayes Cummins Memorial, given by
the Rev. Alexander G. Cummias; this memorial
will form part of the General Endowment and will
be governed by the Rules of that Fund; it is to
amount when completed to $1,000.00
The P. Frost Spaulding Memorial, given by
Mr. Arthur Frost Spaulding; this memorial is a
separate and distinct Fund, the income from which
is to be used toward the support of the music
in the Church; it is to amount when completed to $1,000.00
These two memorial funds are being given upon the principal of
gradual accumulation, which, it is hoped, may commend itself
generally, as one that affords opportunity for the creation of
memorials more conveniently than the presentation of a fixed sum at
one time.
339
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CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC., OF CHRIST
CHURCH, POUGHKEEPSIE, AND TRINITY CHURCH,
FISHKILL, REGARDING THEIR JOINT
INTERESTS IN THE GLEBE
1. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 23.
1773, Aug. 17, It being represented to this Board that the purchase
of ye first or Old Glebe being originally designed for the Benefit of
Poughkeepsie, the Nine Partners, Beekmans Precinct and Rombout
Precinct, and it afterwards being Compleated for the Benefit of Pough-
keepsie Precinct and Rumbout Precinct only (with the Consent of the
Nine Partners and Beekmans Precinct), it was agreed between Pough-
keepsie Precinct and Rombout Precinct that the said Glebe, so pur-
chased, should ever remain and be an Entire Glebe for the Use of the
Rector having the Cure of the Churches of the said two Precincts of
Poughkeepsie and Rombout. But that in Case the Congregations of
the said respective Precincts of Poughkeepsie and Rombout should at
any time find themselves able to support two Rectors, and should
mutually agree to Call one more so as to have one Rector for each
Church, independent of the other, then the Church of Poughkeepsie
should thereupon refund or pay back to the Church of Rumbout
Precinct such sum of money as they have advanced both for the pur-
chase of the said Glebe and for what they paid for the finishing the
Building thereon : —This Board taking the same into Consideration are
of oppinion that the said agreement is Just and reasonable, and do agree
and Resolve that this Corporation shall and will stand to and perform
the Said agreement, and order that the Secretary deliver a Copy hereof
to the Rector for the Use of the Church wardens and vestrymen of the
Church of Rombout Precinct.
2. Vestry Minutes, 'ifYol. 1, p. 25.
1773, Sep. 18, This board having agreed To Consider further Con-
cerning the Old Glebe with Respect To better Secureing the Church
wardens and vestry of Rumbout precinct, do resolve that they Know
of no way or means better to secure them than what was before done
and do agree to send them the following letter and that the Secretary
be Order'd accordingly :
Gent'n
When you met the Vestry of the Church of Poughkeepsie on
the Eighteenth of last month you laid before them a mater
Concerning the Glebe Which Occasioned some uneasiness, to
witt, you then requested to be made secure to be paid for one
340
The Records of Christ Church
half of the Glebe as it should be valued at. This request the
Vestry here then lookt on as not agreeable to the original
agreement made at the time of fixing the Glebe, but the
Vestry promised to lay the matter before a Vestry as of this
day.
The matter was accordingly laid before the Board— and they
desu-e me to inform you of the result, which is that they
still look on the agreement as they had entred it in their minits
and whereof you have a Copy delivered you signed by me'
And that they cannot receed from it. But that if you conceive
that that Entry and your Copy is not Sufficient to secure you
and oblige a performance on our part: That this Corporation
will and stand ready on their part to sign and seal any Instru-
ment proper for them that Council shall advise to secure to you
the full and punctual performance thereof. I am
Gent
Yr very Hble Serv*
John Davis SecrtJ.
3. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 27.
1774, Feb. 16, Mr. Beardsley laid before this board a Coppey of a
writing from Mr. James Duane, Relating to the diference between this
Corporation and the members of the Congregation of Rumbout pre-
cmct. When, Considering of the same, this board do agree To Send
the following letter and Secretary be Order'd Accordingly:
Gentlemen
At a Meeting of the Vestry here, the Reverend Mr. Beards-
ley laid before this Board a Coppey of a writing from James
Duane Esq'r, which Mr. Terboss dehvered to Mr. Beardsley.
Which, being read and Considered, the Vestry Conceive that
they are Under the Strongest Obhgations of Gratitude to Mr.
Duane for the friendly Office he has Undertaken, and are of
Oppinion with him that no person can be thought of more
proper than the Clergy and Vestry of the Church of New York
to Determme of Controversie between you and this Corpora-
tion (if any their does exist). If, when Mr. Terbos delivered
the above Copey he had also delivered to him a memorandum
in writing of what you demand of Us, we should have been able
To have Informed you how far we Could Comply with your
request, but as that has been Omitted, which we Impute to an
Inadvertency to Mr. Duane's Request, the Vestry now Re-
quest of you that you would lay before their Board a state of
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The Records oj Christ Church
your Demands in writing, Subscribed by the persons with
whom this Corporation are to treat on the subject, that the
same may be duly attended to and Considered of: and we are
not without hopes that matters may be Amicably adjusted
between Ourselves without giving those worthy Gentelmen
any Trouble about it.
At the Same time the Vestry, Considering how Absolutely
Necessary it is for the Security and promotion of the Church
here that their Clergyman be secured in the payment of his
full Salary, and Understanding that since Beekmans Precinct
dismissed Mr. Beardsley no proper security has been given him
to secure the payment to him of that Quarter, we Can't help
mentioning this matter to you as a thing of moment ; we on our
parts have made proper provition for the Quota of the Nine
Partners from the time of his dismission from thence, and
recommend to you to do the same with Regard to the other.
With the failure of one, may deprive us both of a Clergyman,
and be a means of our being represented in an Unfavorable
light to the Venerable Society on whom we so much depend.
I am &c John Davis.
P.S.
it is Our Stated time of
Meeting in Vestry on the third Saturday
in nex March which will be on the
19th of the Month if you have any Matter
to lay before the Board plese to send it
before that time.
4. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 28.
1774, Mch. 19, The Vestry being opened the Rector laid before the
board a letter from the Church Wardens (& Vestrymen) of the Church
of Rombouts Precinct.
[Editor's note: This original letter is on file; Christ Church
Mss., GlebePapers, Section C, No. 3.]
FishkiUs March ye 14th, 1774
Gentlemen
Yours of the 16th Ulto we have Received by Mr. Childs by
which you Inform us that a Copy of a writing from Jam's
Duane Esq'r has been Laid before your Board.
We are glad to find that there is some hopes of Settling the
Dispute between us without troubling those worthy Gentle-
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The Records of Christ Church
men Mr. Duane proposed to Determine our Dispute. We
also find by your Letter that you are at a Loss to know what
this Congregation does Demand of you; we did ever Suppose
you was well acquainted with our Demand, but for your fur-
ther Instruction we do here give you a Short Account of what
we do demand, which is to be made Secure to one half of the
Glebe with a good and SuflBcient Title such as we and our
Council shall think proper, and, if this Demand does not suit,
we are willing to have the whole Glebe sold and our part of the
money arising therefrom to be put out and the Interest arising
from it to be paid to the Rev'd Mr. Beardsley (if he shall
think proper to accept of it) instead of the Glebe, as long as he
shall be our Clergyman.
You further add you conceive it to be needful for us to Secure
to our Clergyman the full payment of his Salary. We on our
part would be heartily glad if it were in our power to Comply
with your Request, but as Long as we Remain in such Con-
fusion and our Dispute unsettled we conceive it out of our
power at Present.
Pursuant to your Desire we have Stated our Demands and
have appointed Capt. Dan'l Ter Boss, Doct'r Jer: Cooper,
and Mr. Jno. Halstead and Mr. Jno. Cooke to treat with you
on the Subject.
We are Gentlemen with Respect
Your most Ob't Serv'ts
Daniel Ter Boss | ._, ,
T)- 1. jT^- r Wardens.
Richard King )
The letter being read and Considered: it was agreed that a
Committee be appointed to meet a Committee Appointed by the
Churchwardens of the Church of Rombout Precinct, To Endeavor
To Settle the Deference between the two Congregations. Order'd
that Bartholomew Noxon, Bartholomew Crannell, Richard Davis &
Thomas Poole be a Committee for the abovesaid purpose and that
they do Report the Same to this Board.
5. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 33.
1775, Mch. 18, Mr. Noxon, in behalf of the Committee which were ap-
pointed to meet a Committee of the Fishkill Church, Reported that
they had met the Said Committee at the house of Mr. Cooper in Rom-
bout Precinct, were they Come to an Agreement That, if this board
Approved, they were wilhng that, when Both Congregations Should
agree to part the Mission, the Glebe Should be Appraised by five indifer-
343
The Records ofChrist Church
ent persons to be Appointed by the Rector of Trinity Church in New
York; on the Report, tis Ordered by this Board that John Child prepare
a determined and final Answer to be given the Congregation of Fish-
kill and that he have the Same ready By Saturday, the 27th day of
May 1775, at the house of Bartholomew Crannell where this Board will
then meet.
6. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 34.
1775, May 27, This Board Taken in Consideration the Report of there
Committee formerly Appointed to meet a Committee of their Brethren
of the Church at Fish Kill —
We are of Oppinion the agreement, which our said Committee Enter (ed)
into. Ought not, neither Can it be, Comphed with for Reasons following :
first, that forasmuch as the Original Intention of the Church of Fish
EjII, Poughquack, Nine Partners & Poughkeepsie (their Circumstances
Requiring it) was that, on the Establishing a Mission by the Venerable
Society for propogateing the Gospel in foreign parts, neither of the said
Churches should be at liberty to separate from the Other without
Mutual Consent, which agreement we Conceive to have been founded
in the Clearest Reason for the good of said Churches, as in a Separate
State neither of them were Conceived of ability to Support a Missionary,
whereas being joined their Mutual Endeavors would bearly do it with
credit;
Second, For that we Still insist on the agreement, made in behalf of the
Said Churches, by their Representatives, which were deputed by the
Said Churches to purchase a Glebe for their joint Use, that (after
the purchase of the Glebe in Poughkeepsie) if at any time the Said
Churches Should agree and deem themselves of Sufficient Ability to
Maintain and Support a minister in Each Church, and in Consequence
of Such ability and agreement to Separate, the Glebe at Poughkeepsie
to Remain to the Church at Poughkeepsie, the Congregation there
Returning to the Congregation at fish Kill, Poughquack and Nine
Partners, their part and share of the Money Advanced in purchasing
and improving Said Glebe;
Thirdly, that forasmuch as the persons Now pretending and exercising
the Right of Managetng the affair of Said Church at Fish Kill have at
Sundry times declared that, if Such an Agreement as afore Recited was
Entered into, it was done on their part by persons who had not Suffi-
cient Authority to make Such an Agreement; So this Board conceive
the Same Objections may lay in future to any agreement now to be
made with their Brethren of the Fish Kill Church by their present
Representatives; are therefore of Oppinion nothing firm and lasting
344
The Records ojChrist Church
Can be determined on till a Charter of Incorporation for the Church
at fish Kill be first Sued out and Established;
Lastly, this Board is of Opinion that untill the Church at Fish Kill
take upon themselves that part of the Mission which Originally was
Intended for Poquack and give the Rector Security for his Receiving
his Salary for that Quater of his Services which the Church at Fish Kill
now Enjoy, So that he may be Enabled to give up the present Security
which he has from the Gentlemen at Poughquack: and Until the ar-
rearages of Salary due the Rector for his Services past which have been
performed at Fishkill : This Board for the Security of the Rector, the
peace of the Church, and the Satisfiing the Gentlemen who Remaind
bound in Poughquack, are determined to treat no farther on the mater
Till those Reasonable and Just Requests are Complied with.
I am Gentlemen &c yours
John Davis Secretary.
To the Churchwardens
and Vestrymen of the Church
at Rombout Precinct.
This letter is date
Poughkeepsie
June ye 17 1775
at Bottom.
[From December 1777 to March 1780 John Davis occupied the glebe
7. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 45.
1780, March 11, Some of the members of Trinity Church at Fishkill
being desirous to meet with the Vestry of Christ Church of Poughkeep-
sie in Order to confer with them concerning the renting the Glebe, in
which they are also intrested — Resolved, therefore, that as many of the
Members as think it convenient do meet the Said members of the
Church of Fishkill, and that they do report the same to this board at
the next meeting.
8. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 46.
1780, March 28, Those members of this Board who met their Breth-
eren of Trinity Church of Fishkill Report that on the tenth (?) Day of
March in this present year they, that is to say Richard Davis, Simon
Noxon, William Emott and John Davis, Held a Conference in New
Hackensack, at House of William Erskin, with Zebulon Southward,
Gilbert Southward and Jonas Halstead on the part of Fishkill congre-
gation, and did then and there Unanimously agree that the Parsonage
345
The Records ojChrist Church
be lett to hire for one year, and do appoint John Davis and WiUiam
Emott their Committee to transact the Business.
9, Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 53.
1784, Apr. 20, At this meeting attended the following Gentelmen, a
Committee of Trinity Church at Fishkill, Major Daniel TerBos, Philip
Pine and Doct'r Cooper — They informed us that our Brethren of
Fishkill had appointed them to Settel with us Respecting the Glebe
& That the following matters had given cause of Uneasiness to their
Congregation, which they wished might be removed in order to rees-
tablish mutual Confidence between us.
First proposition of our Fishkill Bretheren sets forth that the Glebe
purchased in Conjunction by both Churches, being covered by the
Charter and Grant of Poughkeepsie Church, desire Justice may be
done them by Secureing their part.
Answer: Vestry agrees that Trinity Church of Fishkill are In titled
to an Equal proportion of said Farm and Buildings with Christ Church
at Pouglikeepsie, this Corporation stand ready to give any Writing
that may be proper for their Safety herein — It being the Wish of this
Board that the two Churches may be united in Strictest Harmony.
Secondly, the Gentelmen of Fishkill propose leaving to ReflPerees
whether they ought not to be intitled to an Equal part in two hundred
acres of land. Granted to this Corporation By the late Government.
Answer : we do not at Present conceive it in our Power to admit of
this proposition without Betraying the trust reposed in us — The lands
in question being a free Donation to the Congregation we Represent.
The Glebe, having Eventually in the course of the late War become
vacant by the Removal of Mr. Beardsley, great Care has been taken
by us for the Preservation & Renting out said place upon best terms
Circumstances of the times would admitt — And as a farther proof of
our integrity we produced Regular accompts of our Conduct herein —
With earnest Requests that the above Gentelmen would at this meeting
join with us in Settling these accompts & Receive their Dividend of
any moneys we have in hand Belonging to their Church. Our Breth-
eren thought proper to Wave this matter for the present till they Should
report the Success of their Negotiations to the Vestry of Fishkill.
10. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 57.
1784, Aug. 14, The Committee appointed to wait on Fishkill vestry
Report to this Board that they enterd upon a Conference with Major
Daniel TerBos, Mr. Jonas Halstead, Mr. John Halstead, Mr. John
Cook, & Mr. Pine at Fishkill on 8 Aug'st 1784.
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The Records oj Christ Church
The Gentelmen on the part of Fishkill earnesly requested that the
misunderstanding between us concerning the Church lands be Settled.
Their opinion is that there must have been a fraud or Collusion in that
Affair, nothing can make them Conceive otherwise, unless Refferees
shall decide against them, with whose determination they will rest con-
tent. With that spirit of Conciliation which ought ever to mark re-
ligious Bodys, the Committee from Poughkeepsie Consented to Submit
this supposed Greviance to men, a proceeding the more generous as no
Law could have oblidged us to it— But merely a Desire of making
peace; the Arbitrators jointly Consented to were Doct'r Johnson of
Stratford and the Rev'd Mr. Leaming, these two gentelmen to Chuse
a third if Necessary.
11. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 61.
1785, Feb. 24, The Vestry of Fishkill by Letter requested that the Pough-
keepsie Vestry meet them upon Business relating to the two Congrega-
tions. In Consequence of which a meeting was held at Mr. Cooper's,
Inn-Holder, in Fishkill Town; Present on the part of that Congregation
Daniel TerBoss, Doct'r Cooper & Jonas Halstead— from Poughkeepsie
attended Richard Davis, Ebenezer Badger and William Emott— The
refferees, appointed by the Resolve of the 14 of August last, not
being able to Attend, Henry Schenck and Judge Isaac Smith were
Nominated and appointed by the parties as Arbitrators to Settel the
difference between the two Congregations, these two Gentelmen to
Chuse a third man if it should be Necessary— the arbitration to be held
at New Hackensack on the 8th Day of March next ensuing— This
conference when the above agreement was Entered into was on the
24th February, 178.5.
1785, March 2,1 Wednesday, Mr. Pine came up to Poughkeepsie
with a letter from the Fishkill Vestry mforming us that Henry
Schenck refused serving on the refference, With a proposal that either
Mr. Wilsey or Mr. MacNeal be appointed in his Stead— Whereupon
Esq'r Wiltsey was agreed upon in the Room of Mr. Schenck.
12. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 62.
1785, March 8 & 9. Tuesday' the 8th of March the two Vestrys of
Poughkeepsie and Fishkill met at New Hackensack at Mr. Annin's,
Inn-keepers, together with Isaac Smith & Martin Wiltsey, the Arbitra-
tors, to whom the matters in difference were Submitted, after mutual
Instruments of writing were exchanged Between the parties in which
they Reciprocally pledged their honor and good faith to abide by the
Award of the Arbitrators. The refferees Proposed to Choose a third
347
The Records oj Christ Church
man before they enter upon Business, which, being agreed to, the
refferees withdrew & upon their return informed they had Elected
Samuel Verplanck, who, being immediately Sent for, attended, when
they proceeded to business, and after hearing the testimony of the
Witnesses and the Allegations of the parties, this and the following
day, — They brought in their award and determination.
13. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section C, No. 4.
1785, March 9, original paper; award of the arbitrators.
We, Isaac Smith, Samuel Verplanck and Martin WUtsie, the Arbi-
trators named in the aforegoing Instruments of Submission, having
taken on us the Burthen of the said Submission, and heard the Parties,
their Proofs and Allegations, do award and determine that the two
Congregations, Parties to the said Submission, are (except with respect
to the Twenty- three acres, the original Conveyance for which from the
Family of Ostrander was taken by the Rev. Mr. Beardsley in his own
name) each of them entitled to a full and equal undivided moiety of
the Parsonage and Glebe at Poughkeepsie, including both the Lands
distinguished by the Appellation of the Old Glebe, and the Two hundred
Acres granted as vacant Lands, and that the Corporation of The Rector
and Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County in Communion
of the Church of England as by Law established were at time of their
Incorporation, and still are to be, deemed Trustees for the said Congre-
gation at Fish Kill for their said undivided moiety of the said Lands, and
that the said Congregation at Fish Kill were originally and still are,
unless the same hath been paid, liable to pay to the said Congregation
at Poughkeepsie one moiety of the Expense incurred in purchasing the
said Lands and obtaining the Charter for the said Corporation. Given
under our hands this 9th day of March 1785.
Isaac Smith
Sam'l Verplanck
Martin Wiltsie.
14. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section C, No. 6.
Undated. Time of the arbitration; being a brief for the Corporation
of Christ Church, in the hand- writing of John Davis.
In the year 1767 a mission was began by the Rever'd Mr. John
Beardsley at the four following places, viz. ; at Poughkeepsie, Fishkills,
Poquack and the Ninepartners. The People of Poquack and Nine-
partners finding themselves unable to perform their part gave up the
matter. Whereupon the people of Poughkeepsie and Fishkills joined
themselves together and determined to purchase a Glebe for the two
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The Records oj Christ Church
places, and accordingly each party was to look for proper places, and to
meet on a certain day to determine which place to purchase; they met
accordingly on the day appointed and the Fishkill people held up a
place which was Scituated in Rombouts precinct, distance about seven
miles from Fishkill Town and eight or nine from the Town of Pough-
keepsie; the Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie held up a place about one
mile from the Town of Poughkeepsie. Upon which, debates arose
between the parties about which of the two was the properest place to
purchase; the Fishkill said that a Glebe purchased for two Congrega-
tions should be Scituated nearly in the midway between the two Chur-
ches and urged strongly for purchasing the place they had in view; on
the contrary the People of Poughkeepsie argued: that a Glebe pur-
chased for two Churches, so far distant from each other as these were,
should be near one or the other of the Churches, alledging that if ever
the Congregations should get able so as to maintain a Minister separ-
ately and should part, that the Glebe so purchased would suit one of the
Churches; but, if purchased as desired by the Fishkill People, would suit
neither; after much altercation on the matter It was agreed to by both
parties that they should leave the aflfair to Mr. Beardsley, and the place
he should Choose should be the Glebe, and should be purchased by
both Congregations for that purpose, with this proviso, that, if here-
after, it should so happen that the Congregations separated, that that
Congregation which lay nearest the Glebe should have it. Refunding
to the Other the first purchase money; accordingly Mr. Beardsley
determined on the matter and Choose the place at Poughkeepsie, and
it was accordingly purchased for a Gl^be for the two Congregations.
Adjoining to the Glebe lay a parcel of waste uncultivated land, in
Common, then said to belong to the Descendants of Myndert Harmanse,
one of the original proprietors of the soil and, according to the Deed of
the Glebe to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in foreign parts,
the Glebe had a Right in it for pasture and wood. After some years
the people of Poughkeepsie was Informed that the land said to be
Commons was like to be Vacant Land, and that Mr. Leake had Pe-
tition the Govenor and Council for a patent for it, and it was also said
that the Title of all the Land, in the patent under which the Glebe was
held, was not good and that the Inhabitants living thereon were uneasy
and wanted a Confirmation for them. The members of the English
Church in Poughkeepsie then petition the Governor and Council praying
to have themselves Incorporated, and have a confirmation of the Glebe;
and also put in a petition for part of the land then deemed Vacant; and,
in Order to have the Confirmation made out, got Mr. Cockburn to
survey and make a map of it. Mr. Beardsley, hearing that the Governor
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The Records oj Christ Church
would confirm unto the Inhabitants, holding under Saunders and Har-
mense, all the Lands they possessed, and knowing that the deed of the
Glebe did Intitle the Glebe to some part of the Common Land, did,
when Mr. Cockburn surveyed the Glebe, git annexed to it a part of the
said waste land and which was accordingly confirmed to and with the
Glebe; and then the Governor and Council did give and grant unto
the Corporation of Christ Church in Poughkeepsie Two Hundred
Acres of the said Vacant Land.
Since which time an Unhappy dispute has arisen between the Cor-
poration of Christ Church in Pouglikeepsie and the Vestry and Con-
gregation of Fishkills, on account of the said two Hundred Acres
granted as aforesaid : the people of Fishkill say that the two Hundred
acres ought of Right to be a part of the Glebe and that they should be
equal to the Poughkeepsie people in it, and do accuse the members of
Poughkeepsie Church of unfair dealing in Obtaining the Land to them-
selves, and say farther that Mr. Beardsley had said it was for both Con-
gregations.
We, the Members of the Corporation of Christ Church as above said,
do deny that we have used any unfair or underhanded means in giting
the land, but that we have Obtained it Justly and uprightly; further-
more we say that we have added land to the Glebe by which the Fish-
kill people is benefited as well as we; for, by the purchase of the Glebe
they were entitled to part of the Commons, but, when the said Com-
mons was deemed by the Governor and Council unpatented, and Con-
sequently Vacant Land, the right of the Glebe and theirs with it fell to
nothing. Yet we did obtain a part of the said Vacant Land for the
Glebe and which we got annexed to it, as will appear by the Map of the
Glebe and our Charter; which is the Land Mr. Beardsley told the
Fishkill people he had Obtained for both Congregations.
In giting the two Hundred acres we acted for our Church Only, the
same as we did in building of it; and we look upon it that a Claim from
the Fishkills for the walls of our Church would be as Just as the one
they make to the Land; for Can it be supposed that we cannot advance
the Interest of our Church without giving theirs a part? Surely, no.
Whatever property the Fishkill Members gets for theirs. Can in our
Opinion, in no part whatever be Claimed for the Church of Poughkeep-
sie.
We never Negociated this matter Secretly, it was agitated publickly
and openly at New York, and we believe not without your knowledge.
If Mr. Beardsley told you it was for both Congregations we can't help
that. He had no authority from us for saying so. We are of opinion
that if Mr. Beardsley was present he would easily set all Right in that
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The Records ojChrist C h u r c h
affair, and we make no doubt but that his evidence would tend very
much in our favor; but as that Cannot now be Obtained we are Con-
strained to do without it. Mr. Beardsley always told us that what he
meant by telling you it was for the benefit of both Congregations was
Only the Gore annexed to the Glebe and not the two Hundred acres.
Gentlemen Arbitrators
This we think to be a true State of the matter in dispute between us
and to your Determination we most willingly submit it, both for peace
and the Churches sake, which we most ardently wish.
15. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 62.
1785, March 9, The Business being thus finished the landlord brought
in his Bill, and, Judge Smith's charge being five Dollars for his services,
it was Agreed that both these charges should be paid out of the monies
that have or may be received for rent of Parsonage, whereupon Mr.
Richard Davis advanced the Money and Discharged the Bills.
[Editor's note: The original receipted bill of James Annin for the
entertainment of the parties to the arbitration is on file in Christ
Church Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section C, No. 5.]
16. Vestry Minutes, Yol. 1, p. 80.
1785, Dec. 6, [A committee, consisting of Messrs. Richard Davis,
William Emott, Melancthon L. Woolsey, Ebenezer Badger and Henry
Mott, was appomted to] — make a General Settlement of all accompts,
controversys, & demands of what nature soever between this Cor-
poration & the Incorporated Episcopal church of Fishkill. In con-
ducting this business we recommend our Committee to pursue the
following Instructions:
1st, That a solemn Compact of reciprocal union be entered into
between the two Churches, the instruments to be signed and
sealed by those empowered to act in behalf of the respec-
tive Corporations.
2nd, The original Contract between the Churches to be the basis
of this Union, viz; that neither congregation shall be at
liberty to separate from the other without the mutual con-
sent of Both.
3rd, \Mienever the two Corporations shall jointly agree to a Sepa-
ration, the old Glebe shall be sold to the best advantage, and
the money be equally Divided.
4th, Should the Gentelmen of Fishkill rest unsatisfied at our
titles coveriag it, let the Farm and Improvements mentioned
351
The Records oj Christ Church
in the 3d Article be put into the hands of the Rector and
Corporation of Trinity Church in New York by deeds of
trust, so as to put it out of the power of either Vestry to dis-
pose of it till, by the joint application of both, it became re-
conveyed to us again.
5th, The twenty-three acres of land belonging to the Church of
Poughkeepsie, lying upon the westermost boundary of the
Old Glebe, Fishkill Church to pay us half rent for, if occupied
by our Clergyman.
6th, All our accompts to be submitted to Arbitrators indifferently
chosen, — each Vestry to be at intire liberty to Chuse their
own man, provided they belong to neither of the two Church-
es. The two refferees to chuse a third if necessary. Refferees
to appoint some convenient place of meeting, whenever the
time shall be affixed.
7th, It is the wish of this Vestry that the Churchof Fishkill consent
to have a Reconsideration before the present Arbitrators of
the two hundred acres of land known by the Appellation of
New Glebe.
17. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 85.
1786, June 13, 14, 15, The deputies met at Poole's tavern at
Poughkeepsie; present for Poughkeepsie, Richard Davis, William
Emott, Melancthon L. Woolsey, Henry Mott and Ebenezer Badger;
present for Fishkill, John Cooke, John Halstead, Dr. Jeremiah
Cooper. The Poughkeepsie delegates laid upon the table a plan of
Union comprehended in Eight articles, and were Urgent for Signing
of them. The Fishkill Gentelmen waved executing them for the
present. The unsettled accounts, subsisting between the Con-
gregations were next investigated, but, the parties not agreeing in
opinion, Myndert Van Kleeck, Edmund Ferris, & Robert Hoofman
were Chosen Arbitrators, who decided by their award the Con-
troversy; which submission and award is lodged with the church
papers. The account being Ballanced in Church Ledger A.
18. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section C, No. 7.
1786, June 14. Original paper. On one side, the appointment of the
arbitrators, named above; on the other side, the award of the said
arbitrators. Original signatures. Christ Church, Poughkeepsie,
awarded one-quarter part of the whole rents of the glebe, in considera-
tion of their separate title to the twenty-three acres, the said twenty-
three acres not subject to any expense for repairs.
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The Records oj Christ Church
19. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section C, No. 8.
1787, Oct. 17. Original paper. By William B. Alger, secretary pro
tern of the vestry of Trinity Church, Fishkill; copy of a resolution of
that body in favor of selling their share of the new glebe.
20. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 93.
1787, Nov. 28, Richard Davis, William Emott, Ebenezer Badger and
Henry Mott, representing Christ Church, met at Poole's tavern,
Poughkeepsie, John Cooke, Jeremiah Cooper & Elbert Willett, repre-
senting Trinity Church. It was unanimously agreed to that the
respective committees will use their influence to get the Articles of
Union executed which have been under consideration since the 13th
June 1786, as the only probable means of restoring perpetual harmony
between the Churches we Represent. For which purpose a General
Meeting of both Vestrys was ordered to be held at Myer's earn
Hackensack on Saturday after New Years day.
21. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 94.
Assembled Jan. 5th, 1'?'88 at Myers tavern near New Hackensack a
General meeting of the Episcopal churches of Poughkeepsie and Fish-
kill to establish a Union between them.
Present on the part of Poughkeepsie, William Emott, church warden,
Robert Noxon, Daniel Smith, James Pritchard, Daniel Lefferts, Isaac
Balding Jr., Charles Crooke, Henry Mott, Ebenezer Badger, Vestry-
men; Present on the part of Fishkill, Jeremiah Cooper, Wm. B. Alger,
Egbert Willett, Peter Mesier, James Cooper, Trustees.
Nine articles of Union and agreement was read by Mr. Emott.
[Editor's note: A copy of these articles of union proposed by
Poughkeepsie is filed with Christ Church Parish Mss., Glebe
papers. Section C, No. 9.
Abstract of above paper:
Preamble,
Whereas the Protestant Episcopal Congregations of Pough-
keepsie and Fishkill were erected into a mission by the Society
for Propogating the Gospel in foreign parts in the year of our
Lord 1767 the infancy of these Churches at that period and
the demands of the Society made it necessary for them to en-
ter into a union and to purchase a Glebe at Poughkeepsie for
the mutual benefit of the two Congregations, which union and
purchase were compleated; And Whereas, at the late Revo-
lution the said Society, from national motives, have with-
drawn their countenance and support from the united con-
gregations of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, and they, being
353
The Record s' of Christ Church
desirous to retrieve the deranged State of their respective
Churches, do by these presents respectively covenant and
ratify in their legal corporate capacity for themselves and
successors for ever the underwritten Articles of Compact
and agreement.
Article 1
The Protestant Episcopal Churches of Poughkeepsie and
Fishkill do by these presents confirm the antient union sub-
sisting between them as sister Churches, and agree not to
sell or divide the old glebe without the consent of both.
Article 2
When a clergyman is settled, he to have use of parsonage
house and part of glebe-land; remainder of land to be let.
Article 3
During a vacancy in the Rectorship a committee from Pough-
keepsie vestry to rent glebe-house and lands; Fishkill to be
represented on said committee if they desire.
Article 4
In case of a separation of the congregations, glebe to be ap-
praised by outsiders for benefit of the two Churches; or to
be sold at auction and proceeds divided equally.
Article 5
A clergyman cannot be settled by one congregation without
the consent of the other.
Article 6
If one congregation refuse for two years to settle a clergy-
man, the other is free to unite with some parish elsewhere to
procure a minister.
Article 7
Disagreements over unsettled accounts to be decided by refer-
ees.
Article 8
The award of March 9, 1785, concerning glebe-lands hereby
ratified.
Article 9
Fishkill may at any time ask a deed of conveyance for one half
the new glebe, they giving Poughkeepsie security for half of
expense of the law suits relative to said land prior to said
deed. Fishkill to compensate Richard Davis for half his
loss in taking Jack the Negro from Andrew Bostwick.]
It was proposed by Mr. Willett to take up these Articles by para-
graphs. Doct'r Cooper objected to them generally, observing that
nothing of the kind would be acceeded to on their part previous to their
354
The Records oj Christ Church
recehong Conveyances for the Old and New Glebe lands at Poughkeep-
sie. The other Fishkill gentelmen came into his opinion. Mr. Lefferts
and Dr. Noxon asserted that it was not in the power of the Poughkeepsie
Vestry to Convey the lands in Question, from the tenor of the Charter.
They were, however, willing to secure to the Fishkill Vestry one moiety
of the avails of the Old Glebe whilst in its present scituation, and one
half the monies arising from the sale whenever it shall be sold. All
which they conceived would be secured to them by executing the pro-
posed articles. The Poughkeepsie gentelmen unanimously agreed with
them in Sentiment, and offered to join Fishkill in a petition to the
Legislature for a law to enable us to dispose of the New Glebe, provided
they will proceed to examine and acceed to these articles of union now
before us, during the meeting of the present Vestry. Fishkill Vestry
refused these offers and the meeting broke up at five o'clock.
22. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section C, No. 10.
Undated. Articles of union proposed by Trinity Church, Fishkill.
Abstract of said paper:
Gentlemen
We received your Letter enclosing certain Articles as the
Basis of a Union between your Church and ours. We confess
we know of no impediment to our Union as sister Churches,
nor have we the least desire or wish of breaking off from you so
long as it shall be for the mutual benefit of both our Churches
to continue in our present state. But, as many reasons may,
possibly, arise that may make a separation advantageous and
convenient to both we are unwilling to enter into any solemn
covenants or Obligations binding upon our successors, who
may perhaps think differently from us, by which we may be
charged with an abuse of the Trust reposed in us by our Con-
stituents, to the prejudice of the Church in this town. We
therefore, so far as we are authorized, to avoid all future alter-
cations, in our turn have agreed to make the following propos-
als to your Church, as the only ones we conceive that wiU be
agreeable to our Constituents, or that can possibly tend to the
present and future Interest of our Churches.
Propo: 1st.
The Protestant Episcopal Churches of Fishkill and Pough-
keepsie, having always been inclined as one, do hereby agree
to unite as Sister Churches, upon one equal Footing in all
joint interests, for as long as is to mutual advantage.
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The Records ojChrist Church
2d.
The basis of union to be a conveyance by Poughkeepsie to
Fishkill of one moiety of both old and new glebe.
3rd.
In case of a separation of the congregations, glebe to be ap-
praised by outsiders for benefit of the two Churches; or to be
sold at auction and proceeds divided equally.
4th.
If either congregation refuse to settle a clergyman in con-
junction with the other, then, after three months, the other
may join with a congregation elsewhere to procure a minister.
In which event Propo. 3rd has full effect.
5th.
Any unsettled accounts to be settled, if necessary, by referees.
23. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 97.
1788, March 25, Resolved, that in our opinion the Fishkill proposals
are Improper.
24. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 101.
1789, Jan'y 14, Voted that the Secretary write the Fishkill Vestry
to meet us on the 22d Instant at 1 o'clock at Van Kleeck's Tavern in
Poughkeepsie, requesting the Gentlemen who attend to bring with them
Written Credentials.
25. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 102.
1789, Jan'y 22, At a Conference held at the House of Baltus Van
Kleeck, between the Standing Committee of Christ Church and a
Committee from Trinity Church;
Present, on the part of Poughkeepsie, William Emott, John Davis,
Henry Mott, James Pritchard, Ebenezer Badger;
Present, on the part of Fishkill, Daniel TerBush, Peter Mesier;
Resolved, that a joint Conference take place between the respective
Vestrys, or Committees from the Bodys vested with full Powers, to adopt
some Plan respecting the sale of the Glebe Lands, or some other mode
which may then be agreed on respecting said lands. The meeting to be
held at the House of Mr. Myers near New Hackensack, on the first
Tuesday of February next at 12 o'clock.
26. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 103.
1789, Feb'y 3, At a Conference between the two Vestrys of Christ
and Trmity Church, held at Mr. Myers in New Hackensack;
356
The Records ofChrist Church
Present, Rev'd Henry Van Dyck, Rector;
on the part of Poughkeepsie, Richard Davis & Wilb'am Emott, Church
Wardens, Isaac Balding, Jno. Davis, Daniel Smith, Daniel LefiFerts,
Ebenezer Badger, Vestrymen;
on the part of Fishkill, Mess. Jno. Cook, Peter Mesier, Will'm Alger,
Doct'r Cooper, Jacobus Cooper, Jno. Halstead;
Resolved that two Gentlemen be Appointed, one from each Vestry,
who shall be Authorized to make and receive proposals from any Person
or Persons for the Sale of the Old and New Glebe, or any part thereof,
belonging to and in the Possession of boath the Episcopal Congrega-
tions of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill; To advertise the same in the
Publick papers, and whenever any Person or Persons apply to them
respecting the same, to make report thereof to the Church Wardens
and Vestrymen or Trustees of boath Congregations as soon as possible,
in order to receive their joint approbation and further direction in the
Premises, before any Act of theirs shall be Valid or binding.
Resolved that William Emott, on the part of Poughkeepsie, and John
Cooke on the part of Fishkill, be a Committee for the above purpose.
27. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 107.
1789, Sept'r 1, [meeting of Vestry held at the Church] the following
Gentlemen from the Vestry of Trinity Church at Fishkill also attended,
viz; John Cooke, Peter Mesier, Elbert Willett & Jacob Van Voorhis;
in order to determine upon Myndert Van Kleeck's oflFer respecting the
purchase of the Glebe.
Mr. Van Kleeck proposed taking the Glebe at Twelve Hundred Pounds,
provided the Churches would take oflF that part of the New Glebe laying
on the East of the road, occupied principally by Leonard Lewis, and
one other piece improved by Francis Kip, supposed to contain about
Sixty Acres at three Pounds the Acre; which sums, when the number of
Acres should be ascertained, to be deducted from the Twelve Hundred
Pounds.
He then proposed, in payment for the net sum remaining, one House and
Lot now in possession of Theodorus Bailey, at four Hundred Pounds;
Four Himdred Pounds in Bonds, upon Literest, from Robert Hoffman,
and the residue in Cash immediately.
The Fishkill Vestry then withdrew to Mr. Poole's, and after about an
hour's absence, returned again to the Church, Mr. Van Kleeck and the
Poughkeepsie Vestry being present.
Mr. Cooke declared, in behalf of the Fishkill Vestry, that it was their
unanimous Voice not to accept Mr. Van Kleeck's offer. He then in-
formed Mr. Van Kleeck that they had no objection to his taking the
357
The Records ofChrist Church
Place for Nine Hundred Pounds and Mr. Bailey's house. Mr. Van
Kleeck replied he would reflect upon it.
28. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 137.
1790, April 12, At a meeting of the Churchwardens and Vestrymen
of Christ Church in Poughkeepsie, and Trustees of Trinity Church of
Fishkill, held at Poughkeepsie, — Resolved that Peter Mesier is hereby
empowered by the respective corporations to Negotiate a Loan for
them of Two Hundred poimds for which they will give good landed
Security, namely the parsonage house and old glebe lands.
29. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 166.
1792, Oct. 12, Mr. Dxmn attended the meeting to know upon what
Terms we would sell the Glebe; after being informed, he said he would
write us his determination from New York in a few days. Resolved,
that Richard Davis and William Emott is hereby fully Authorized by
this Corporation to dispose of and Sell unto the Said John and Andrew
Dunn, or any other person, all the Glebe Lands belonging to this Cor-
poration, excepting the twenty-three-acre lot, for the sum of One
Thousand pounds, current money of the State of New York, in such
payments as to them shall appear reasonable.
30. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 172.
1792, Nov. 13, Messrs. Davis and Emott reported that, according to
the agency Intrusted to them, they had bargained with Messrs. John
and Andrew Dunn for the Glebe Farm for One Thousand pounds; the
one half of which to be paid first July next, the other moiety first July
ensuing; Literest to be allowed on the last payment only. Ordered
that the Secretary write a Letter to the Fish Kill Trustees, Informing
them of the Sale of the Glebe Farm, & desireing they will appoint a
Committee from their Body to meet us at this House on the first Tues-
day in December next at Two o'clock in the afternoon.
31. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 177.
1793, Sep. 3, Mr. Davis has Informed Vestry that in Consequence of
John and Andrew Dunn Absenting themselves from the Glebe Farm,
That he has taken an Inventory of what Effects they Left behind them,
and has put John Dusenburry in Possession of the House in the Name
of Vestry, to take care of the Same.
32. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 182.
1794, June 3, Voted that Anthony Hoffman and Cadw'r D. Colden be
a Committee to pursue the Legal Measures for Foreclosing the Mort-
gage given this Corporation by John and Andrew Dimn.
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The Records ojChrist Church
33. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section C, No. 12.
Original paper; in hand-writing of William Emott.
Poughkeepsie, 17th July, 1795.
For the information of the present Vestry and their Counsel it is pre-
sumed that the following statement may be of use in the intended sale
of Certain of the Church lands, and the security and payments re-
specting the Church at Fishkill, should any farther suits be commenced
by the persons pretending a title under Harmense and Sanders.
The episcopal church dates its existence in Poughkeepsie in the year
1767, at which time the Rev'd John Beardsely was settled as a Mission-
ary. The Society in England previously stipulated that a Glebe should
be purchased; wliich was accordingly done from Ostrander, by the
Congregations of Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Nine Partners, and Beekman
town. The convej^ance was executed in trust to Certain gentelmen for
the Society. The two last mentioned congregations, being few in
number, shortly after Relinquished their claim to the lands and ser-
vices of Mr. Beardsley, and, ever after during his continuance here
he resided on the place and divided his time equally between the two
Churches of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill.
On the apphcation of Robert Lake and others, Gov'r Moore, in March
1768, determined Hermanses and Saunders patent was intended to
grant only 1200 acres instead of 12,000 acres. The Church, justly
alarmed at the insufficiency of the title they had purchased under,
applied, by their agent, Mr. Beardsley, for a Confirmation, which they
obtained together with a Grant of 200 acres adjoining, and Charter
of incorporation.
The Fishkill church were dissatisfied that two Charters were not ob-
tained and two Grants; whereas it seems to have been the intention of
Government that the Church of Fishkill, or any other adjacent of like
Communion, might be considered as Chapels of Christ Church at
Poughkeepsie; which they thought proper to refuse. Thus the title
became vested in us solely. The revolution interfereing, the churches
were destitute of a pastor. Conferences took place, as may be seen in
our Book of Minutes, in which it was admitted that Fishkill Church
is entitled to one moiety of the money which may arise from the Sale
of the old lands, whenever sold, except a Certain lot said to Contain 23
acres.
Thus circumstanced, about the year 1784 the Rev'd Mr. Henry Van"
dyck paid us repeated Visits; overtures were made unto the Fishkill
Vestry to settel him; they declared their readiness, provided we would
submitt their pretentions to the old and New Glebe to three men
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The Records of C hr i s t Church
(which had been formerly rejected), which was finally agreed to in
Confidence that they had no kind of Right to the 200 acres. When the
parties mett at New Hackensack it was discovered we did not stand on
equal ground, they not being incorporated.
The Articles of Submission were therefore executed by individuals,
in which they pledged themselves to each other on their honour and
good faith.
In the award, which was drawn by Judge Benson^, the lands were to
be holden m trust by the Poughkeepsie Vestry for the benefit of the two
churches &c, except the 23 acres which was determined to be the sole
property of the Poughkeepsie Church. Rev'd Vandyck occupied the
parsonage untill his removal to Jersey.
Fishkill were now urgent for a partition of the lands and a title, which
was not compUed with. Finally it was judged expedient to advertise
and sell. Some time after, Myndert Van Kleeck was anxious to pur-
chase it; terms were agreed to; the Fishkill Gentelmen were wrote to,
and attended, when they disapproved of our Bargain with Mr. Van
Kleeck, to our great mortifycation, which prevented the sale at that
time.
Next, John and Andrew Duim applied, and became purchasers, and
executed a mortgage and Bonds to the amount of £1000; they were
unable to make the payments stipulated; left the County. In this
last Sale the Fishkill Gentelmen Were not consulted.
Next, Nathaniel Bosworth came forward as a pin-chaser. Richard
Davis and William Emott, the Committee authorized by Vestry,
treated with him, the result of which was reduced to two written
memorandums, which were given 30 Sept'r 1794. Mr. Bosworth came
on the place in the sprmg of 1795, and the Vendue, which was to have
been in Feb'r last, takes place 22 July 1795, at 10 o'clock in the fore-
34. Vestry Minutes^ Vdl. 1» p. 191.
1795, Aug. 11, Mr. Davis and Mr. Emott, who were a Committee to
Sell the Glebe under the Mortgage from John & Andrew Dunn, having
report — that the same has been sold at auction agreeable to law, to
Nathaniel Bosworth, who hath bad therefore £1000, — on motion of Mr.
Emott Resolved that the Secretary be, and he hereby is. Authorized
to execute to the said Nath'l Bosworth such Instruments as may be
requisite for Conveying the Estate to him; the Treasurer is to receive
from the said Nath'l Bosworth Three Hundred pounds with Interest
therefore from the first of April last, and the Secretary will receive in
( 1 Judge Smith ? )
360
The Records ofChrist Church
behalf of this Corporation, on Executing the Conveyance above men-
tioned, a Mortgage from the said Nath'l Bosworth, on the premises
aforesaid, for securing to this Corporation the sum of Seven Hundred
pounds with Interest from the first of April last, — To be paid as follows,
viz; £350 to be paid 1st x\pril 1796, and the other £350 on the first day
of April, 1797.
35. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 204.
1797, Jan'y 2, a meeting of Vestry held at House of Stephen Hendrick-
son.
Present, William Emott, Warden, Robert Noxon, Ebenezer Badger,
Thomas Mitchell, Archibald Stewart, James Bramble.
Present, the following Committee from Trinity Church, Fishkill, —
Daniel C. Verplanck, James Cooper, Peter Mesier.
On Investigation of the sale of the Glebe, of the Rents, profits and
expenditures relating to this, and all other accounts remaining at this
Date unsettled; which being Audited and Settled, there appeared a
Ballance due the Church at Fishkill of Four Hundred and Sixteen
Pounds.
Which sum the Vestry ordered William Emott, their Treasurer, to pay
to Peter Mesier on Demand, agreeable to the Order Drawn this Day, —
The Fishkill Committee being present.
The Gentlemen of the Committee from Fishkill unanimously agreed
that they will cause to be Executed a General Release and an Indem-
nification bond, which is to be drawn by Jacob Radclift Esqr. without
delay, who personally attended the Vestry.
The whole of the foregoing business was conducted with the most per-
fect unanimity, not a dissenting vote appeared on any question agitated
by the representatives of either of the Churches in the above settle-
ment.
36. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section C, No. 14.
1797, Jan'y 2, Original release from Trinity Church, Fishkill, to Christ
Church, Poughkeepsie, of all of Trinity's rights, title, etc., in the two
hundred and fifty acres at Poughkeepsie conveyed to Nathaniel
Bosworth; in consideration of £416. • Signed by James Cooper,
secretary.
37. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section C, No. 15.
1797, Jan'y 2, Bond for £1000 from Trinity Church, Fishkill, to Christ
Church, Poughkeepsie, signed by James Cooper, secretary. Condition:
— In case of future difficulty over the title to the land conveyed to
361
The Records of Christ Church
Na'haniel Bosworth, Fishkill to pay one half of all charges and ex-
penses in the same.
38. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 205.
1797, Jan. 3, William Emott Paid Peter Mesier four Hundred Sixteen
pounds, Pursuant to Order, for the Use of Trinity Church in Fishkill,
in full of all Demands.
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC., OF CHRIST
CHURCH, POUGHKEEPSIE, AND THE REV. JOHN
BEARDSLEY, REGARDING
THE TWENTY-THREE ACRE LOT
1. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 1.
1769, July 3, original bond for £300, given by John Beardsley and Peter
Harris of Poughkeepsie, to Maritie Ostrom of Poughkeepsie; interest
£8 per annum, payable May 13 th.
On the second page of this paper, Jacobus Ostrom signed his mark in
receipt for interest payments made by Peter Harris from May, 1770,
to May, 1774, and by John Beardsley from May, 1770, to May, 1783.
On the third page is the record of the sale of this bond, on April 19,
1797, by Jacobus Ostrom of Poughkeepsie, administrator of the estate
of Maride Ostrom, deceased, to the Corporation of Christ Church,
Poughkeepsie.
2. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 26.
1773, Dec. 18, Ordered that Samuel Smith, Richard Davis and John
Child be a Committee to view the lands of Mr. Beardsley Contained
within the grant for the Glebe, that they take the Courses and dis-
tances of the lands which Mr. Beardsley desires to have included in
his grant, and report to this board at their next siting how and in what
Manner they shall think it most advisable to run the said lines.
3. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 50.
1783, Nov. 5, Jacobus Ostrom produced to the Vestry a Bond given
by Rev'd John Beardsley and Peter Harris in favour of his mother, each
to pay her four pounds yearly during her life, he acknowledged Mr.
Beardsley's part had Constantly been paid by him while residing here,
and, Since his removal, agreeable to his request, by Vestry here.
Which payments, at our desire, was indorsed on Said Bond by Richard
Snedeker, Who was present. Ostrom alledged that there was Due from
Harris £32, and was urgent that Vestry take upon them to account for
Harris's part in this Obligation.
36«
The Records ofChrist Church
Mr. Richard Davis then made a Motion that a letter from Rev'd John
Beardsley be read to the Board which may throw light upon this
Matter. Which was read and is as Follows:
[Here is entered a copy of Mr. Beardsley 's letter among the vestry
minutes; see No. 4.]
4. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 4.
Original letter from the Rev'd John Beardsley.
Addressed on the outside to "Mr. Will'm Emott at Poughkeepsie, per
Mr. Ostrum." Reads as follows:
New York 2d June 1783
Dear Sir
Jacobus Ostrum calls on me in your name to request in writing
what I know of his mother's claim on Capt. Harris of four pound per
annum. You doubtless recolect that She of her own accord gave up
her claim to that part of her husband's Estate secured to her by his
will, in consideration of her children severally or some one in their
steads paying her four pounds per annum each during her life, for the
sake of removing the incumbrance which on her account lay on the
Parsonage. I became bound to pay the four pounds that fell to her
daughters part, Capt Harris for her son John, and Andrew, Henry &
Jacobus Stood ingaged. Each one for himself; this Settlement she chose
and accepted of in preferrence to that made in her husband's will.
How far, those bound in her favour have fulfilled their obligations is a
matter I have no right to enquire after, and with respect to the part I
have ingaged for, I took care of that when I left Poughkeepsie, by a
promise from Capt John Davis who succeeded me in the possession of
the parsonage, that he would pay or cause to be paid to Mrs. Ostrum
on my account foure pounds currency per annum, which Jacobus
Ostrum acknowledges to have been done by the said Capt Davis, and
others of the Vestry or Corporation. If Mrs. Ostrum hath trusted her
Support in the Hands of those who are unable to pay her, it might
surely be very unhappy in its consequences to her, Especially as she is
far advanced in age, and her son with whom she lives in low circum-
stances.
Was I in possession of the parsonage I should then, perhaps, be able
to relieve her as a deed of Charity, as I would another person in want.
But under my present circumstances, I must consider myself (in point
of Equity) free in the Sight of heaven and earth from all claims made
by her, unless for the single four pounds per annum, and even of that,
but as it is paid through the same Chanell that it hath hitherto been
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The Records oj Christ Church
paid since my Banishment on account of my Loyalty. I wish with
all my heart that the Vestry, if able, would, as an act of Charity,
assist the Old Lady.
I have taken the Liberty of directing this to you as Ostrum makes use
of no other name but yours in his appUcation; which I beg you would
be so good as to present to the Gentlemen, Church Wardens, and
Vestry, with my best Respects to them and their Families; and permit
me by your advocation to remain with great esteem, their most
affectionate Friend and Humble Servant,
John Beardsley.
To The Gentlemen Church Wardens & Vestry of Christs Church at
Poughkeepsie.
5. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 52.
1783, Nov. 5, [Mmutes continued]. Vestry after hearing the foregoing
letter read Resolved to postpone this matter no Evidence appearing
that they are liable to pay the Bond in question — The presumption
therefore is that it is merely a private Contract, till Ostrom shall bring
proof of its being Otherwise.
6. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 83.
1786, March 16, Ordered that Richard Davis and Robert Noxon be a
Committee to enquire into the affair of Ostrom's bond and Report.
7. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 84.
1786, April 18, Ordered that Richard Davis and Robert Noxon be
contiaued a committee to enquire into the affair of Ostrom and report
next quarterly meeting of vestry.
8. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 5.
Original letter from the Rev. John Beardsley, addressed to Mr. John
Davis.
Maugerviile, New Brunswick, 9th September 1788
Dear Sir
Your favour of ye 16th ult. I have now before me, & wish it
was in my power to answer it to your satisfaction.
But having no written memorandums to direct me am much
at a loss how to state what I always supposed ye Church Book
of records would fully enable ye Vestry to do.
It must be known to many of you, that two thirds of ye
Ostrum farm was purchased for ye use and benefit of ye parson
364
The Records of Chris t Church
who should serve at ye Churches of Poughkeepsie and Fishkill,
and that ye other third was purchased by me.
And that ye two hundred acres of new land was designed for
ye use and Benefit of Christs Church at Poughkeepsie, ye
Charter & Grant will fully Evince.
That Mr. Crannell advanced a principal part of Poughkeep-
sie's share, as well in payment for ye old Glebe as for finishing
ye house, must be known by all ye leading Characters, mem-
bers of ye Church, who were there at ye time these tran-
sactions happened.
With respect to my part of ye Ostrum farm, my Deed that I
have in possession shows my title.
And I cannot doubt you and others will remember that ye
reason of procuring a grant of ye old farm with the new, and
including my part of it in ye grant, was to prevent ye cost of
taking out two grants; and yt ye Wardens & Vestry did en-
gage on their part to reconvey to me in a legal manner my
share of ye old farm; which not being yet done exposes me
to ye loss of it, unless the Vestry now being are pleased to do
it.
The justice of my claim on this head, you, your Brother,
Doctor Noxon, Mr. Emott, Mr. Isaac Balding, I am well as-
sured can testify.
You also know that I built a Barn on ye glebe near ye house,
and that in case I should be removed, ye Vestry were to allow
me ye value of it. That Barn cost me not less than £60 York
currency.
You may recolect yt I procured a grant of the Lands above
mentioned; and in doing yt, I hereby declare it cost me not
less than £60 currency of New York, £14 of which is all yt I
ever had reimbursed me; so yt there remains— £46 in my
favour on yt score; which I think is more than falls to my
share, as in justice I had only to pay what cost might arise in
procuring a grant for one third of ye old farm.
Things thus circumstanced when I came to this Country,
relying on ye good faith & honour of my Brethren at Pough-
keepsie to do me justice in yt part, I thought it not right to
send my claims upon Government for yt which, I had every
reason to believe, would be made good to me by yt Congrega-
tion who had it in possession & received a rent for it.
And I appeal to heaven & to every good Being if I have not
a right to expect it from them.
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The Records oj Christ Church
I have further to inform you, yt ye Bond which Capt Harris
and I gave for ye payment of £8 to Mrs. Ostrum per year is
deficient on his part, but yt my part to it, one half, is paid by
me & my order to ye time of her death.
If therefore you will be pleased to shew this Letter to the
Vestry, & State what you know (which I should think might be
more than any other, having long acted as Secretary to ye
Corporation), it may be a means of puting it in my power to
Satisfy Mrs. Ostrum's heirs, as well as help me to what you
can declare to be my just right.
For the Sums due to me for past services, I must refer to
your records, as I cannot exactly recolect, but I am sensable
it is upwards of one year. Allowing it one year it is £30. As
to the use of my thirds of ye old farm, I cannot consider £4
per year by any means a sufficient rent.
I know these things must be submitted to my friends. But
when I consider them as Christian Brethren, who cannot, as
such, wish to support ye Church of God by undue means, I
will not doubt but yt they intend to do me justice.
Which I wish may be done in a way yt may best suit ye con-
gregation.
My third of ye old farm must be much more valuable than
when I purchased, on sundry accounts.
The manuring & fencing, the Lands rising in value for more
than 20 years, so near ye heart of ye capital of ye county, & ye
Barn I built on it, will support this remark.
Whenever anything can be done to Effect in my favour, I
wish to have Ostrum's heirs paid; for which purpose Mr. Gil-
bert Livingston is applied to by Jacobus Ostrum.
Please to let me hear from j^ou on this or any other Subject
yt may be of advantage for me to know.
As we have no Great Bible in our Church, & the people un-
able to buy, I must request you to send me the one I left in ye
Church — you know it was given to me by ye free masons — and
not to ye Church.
Mr. Gilbert Livingston will be impowered to act for me in
yt part of ye world.
As my children are desirous to have my old picture I must
request you to Send it, with ye maps, if they can be con-
veniently put up in a Box together. The maps are at Mr.
Livingston's who wiU take charge of anything yt is to be Sent
tome.
366
The Records ofChrist Church
With my best Respects to your Lady & to all my friends I
am Dear Sir your most affectionate Friend & most
humble
Servant
John Beardsley.
9. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 105.
1789, June first Tuesday, Resolved that the Vestry cannot/ at
present undertake the payment of Jacobus Ostrom's Acc't in behalf of
Mr. Beardsley.
10. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 113.
1790, Feb. 19, Mr. Emott, from the Committee appointed to answer
the Letter received from Mr. Beardsley, dated 9th Sept'r 1788, reported
an Answer as follows :
Sh-
Mr. John Davis by order of the Vestry Wrote for your Acc't
Current & a Statement of all other demands from you against
this Corporation.
Your answer of 9th Sept'r 1788 Contains not the regular
Statement of an Acc't.
The Land you claim as your Property was Located by Doctr
Cook as such, and nothing short of Expensive exertions &
producing a clear Title of the Land being Vested in the Church
prevented their falling a Sacrifice with the rest of your Proper-
ty.
If Vestry were mistaken, and the Land were in fact yours
at that period, we see no reason why the State will not hold
it as Confiscated property.
It really places the Church in a delicate Situation, after hav-
ing Solemnly declared to the Governor and Commissioners
that the Property was in the Corporation, now to Confess it
was a piece of deceit. We are assured that is not the case.
Our religious character demands that we give Equity to
you. Sir, in this & every other transaction.
We beg leave to suggest whither the better way of Compro-
mise will not be to draw out your Acc't of the payments made
by you towards ye Purchase of the Glebe, together with all
other your Acc'ts, and have them transmitted to your Attor-
ney, with full powers for a final Settlement, — which, when ad-
justed, the poverty of the Church may probably induce them
to make payment in those or the New Lands as may be
367
The Records oj Christ Church
agreed to. We do assure you that Lands are now as low as
when the Glebe was purchased. You can have no conception
in what a reduced State the late war has left our Church.
Taking that into Consideration, you, no doubt, as one of
Our Founders, will be moderate in your demands and expec-
tations.
With the utmost tenderness we shall remark that some of
of them, in the Letter now before us, require a reconsideration.
1st. The barn, near the house, you charge at £60; it ap-
pears from the Minutes of Vestrj- that you procured a Vote
enabling you to build it on the Glebe, with liberty to remove
it at your discression, unless Vestry chose to purchase it.^
2d. The charge, in your agency respecting the Grant, of a
ballance of £46, appears rather extraordinary & new.
Sdly. Your demand of £30 Sallary from the Church of
Poughkeepsie is founded on a Simple Contract between indi-
viduals & your self, many of whom are on your side the water;
the Corporation are not holden, your Attorney may have
their Names to Collect.
4th. The Church Bible we believe was not the intention
of the Donors should be sent out of the Country. You will
wave that request we presume.
We can undertake no payments to Mr. Ostrom's heirs on
your Acc't subsequent to a General Settlement had with you.
Your detaining the Surpluss & the Missions Library is, in
our Opinion, withholding so much of our Property which we
expect will be returned.
One hundred acres of the New Land will probably be given
up to Fishkill; we can make peace upon no other terms; they
Istand ready with a number of witnesses to make appear your
positive engagements to them in this affair.
It is related by some of the old Vestry that, after the surren-
dery of the lands you mention as having a deed for, the
Charter, Grant, & Confirmation being obtained, you at
that time made a similar Claim for a Conveyance from the
Church.
Mr. Crannell made a spirited opposition, &, to the best of
their remembrance, some of his objections were that you in-
cluded more than a due proportion both as to Quantity and
Quality, which extended so far in front as Greatly to unjure
1 See Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 32, Jan. 17th, 1776.
368
The Records oj Christ Church
the remainder, it being a narrow strip of near one half mile
in length.
How these matters were concluded in the first instance, you
and Mr. Crannell can best explain.
But certain it is that the Old Glebe, if separated from the
piece of Land on the west, would be highly unfavorable to the
former.
The place occupied by Seabury we have no thoughts at
present of obtaining.
The plain but friendly manner in which we have expressed
our Sentiments on this Occasion, we hope will be accepted as a
fresh proof of our sincerity.
We are Rev'd Sir
Affectionately yours
by Order of Vestry
Eben'r Badger Secret'v.
N.B.
Gideon Ostrander calls on us for the Bonds he gave Ostrom,
amounting to five hundred Pounds; please to send them, if
they are lodged with Mr. Crannell or yourself, and explain
the purchase of the Glebe, and the repairs, minutely.
Nov'r 1789—
To Rev'd John Beardsley
Maugerville New Brunswick.
Which, being approved of by Vestry, Ordered that the Secretary
transmit a Copy thereof by the first Conveyance.
11. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 165.
1792, Oct. 12, A Letter was laid before Vestry from the Rev'd John
Beardsley.
[Here is entered a copy of Mr. Beardsley's letter among the vestry
minutes.]
12. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 6.
Original letter from the Rev. John Beardsley.
Addressed on the outside to "The Church Wardens and Vestry of the
Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie, New York State. Honoured by
Mr. Hake." Reads as follows:
Maugerville m New Brunswick 20 August 1792.
Gentlemen
I beg leave to inform you, that Mr. Hayke who honours
this, has lately called on me with an unsettled affair between
369
The Records ofChrist Church
me, the late Capt Peter Harris and the old Ostrum Estate, on
account of the property which you, as a corporation, at present
cover by possession.
You will therefore permit me on that ground to request that
you would be pleased to Settle with Mr. J. Ostrum, and place
the Same to your credit, against your most humble
Servant
John Beardsley.
To the Gentlemen
Church Wardens and Vestry
of the Episcopal Church
at Poughkeepsie.
13. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 166.
1792, Oct. 12, [minutes continued], Resolved that we Cannot at
Present Consent to assume any payment on account of Mr. Beardsley
unto Jacobus Ostrom.
14. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 194.
1796. July 20, Copy of a Letter To the Rev'd John Beardsley
Maugerville, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.
Rev'd Sir
It has been proposed by the Members of Christ Church in
Poughkeepsie — That I should without delay write to you ex-
pressing their earnest desire of a speedy and final Settebnent —
For which purpose they wish you to appoint an agent (who
shall not be inimical to the Episcopal chiu-ch) with ample
powers under your hand and Seal to treat with — The Rector
and inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with the
Protestant Episcopal church in the state of New York — Which
is the Legal name or Stile of our Corporation.
As you no doubt feel an interest for that Church, of which
you would still have been Rector, had it not been for the
removal of the Mission, — A detail of what has taken place
since that event may not be unpleasing.
During the war a Violent attack was made to wrest the New
Glebe from us by Myndert Van Kleeck and others, which
terminated in favour of the Church after a tedious and ex-
pensive Law suit in 1784.
About that period the settelment of the Rev'd Mr. Van
Dyck was Contemplated, and, unable to EfiFect it without
the Fishkill congregation. They oblidged us to submit to
370
The Records oj Christ Church
Arbitration what they styled their equitable claim to one
Moiety of the Church lands, on a promise made to them by
Mr. Beardsley. The unjust issue of which was an Award
declaring them the rightful proprietors of one half of the old
and New Glebes, &c.
We next set about repairing and Pewing the Church and
purchased a Bell.
In the year 1790 the Rev'd Vandyck removed to Amboy.
And now the FishkiU people became clamorous for the sale
of the Glebe, as they wanted the money to discharge their
debts.
Not long after, a New adjectment was brought against the
Glebe, when, after a Spirited defence, and again expending
upwards of £50, we were Reh'eved by a Non Suit in the
Supream court.
Finally, the Glebe was sold last January, aU excepting
about Twenty odd acres. Our part of the money being
£500-0-0, we immediately applyed £349-0-0 to the payment
of a Debt incurred for Building the Church, and for which
Mesrs Crannel & Davis were bound.
Mr. Vandyck was succeeded by the Rev'd Mr. Spierin, who
removed to Virginia in December, 1795. On the 25th day of
that month the Rev'd John J. Sayre, our present Clergyman,
succeeded to the Rectorship.
Thus you will perceive our Church is paid for, but we are
destitute of a parsonage house. The Vestry are disposed to
erect one on the remaining Lands, which Doctor Cooke
attempted to locate as Forfeited property, supposing the title
to have been vested in you.
This was Averted (as you have been previously informed by
our letter of Nov'r 1789) By our personal appearance before
the Governor, Attorney General, and board of Commissioners,
Where our title was duly examined, And your Agency mani-
fested by the Records remaining in the Secretary's office,
whereby you obtained the title and Confirmation for the Cor-
poration without any reservation, expressly declairing that
the Church were the sole proprietors of the said lands.
I have been the more particular. As some evil minded Per-
sons have spread a Report that there was a Collusion in this
Business, And that the land at that time was and still is
Vested in the people of the State of New York.
But, my friend, I pledge myself to use my utmost influence,
371
The Re cor ds of C hr i s t Church
if you now come forward, to procure you an equitable settel-
ment of all such demands as can with propriety be made.
The church, tho in reduced circumstances from the falling
off of the Fishkill congregation, which is nearly extinct.
Manifests a laudable disposition to do you Justice.
And I entertain a full confidence from your former candour
that, in stating your demands, they will be accompany ed
with that moderation which may render this transaction
pleasing and expeditious. Delays may prove prejudicial;
the present Crisis is therefore the most favourable that may
happen.
Few, very Few, of your old flock remain here; a new set of
men Supply their places, And if two or three more should be
removed insuperable difficultys may arise.
A duplicate of this will be transmitted, and, if you should
deem it expedient to return me an answer by way of preUm-
inary to this Negotiation, it shall be duly attended to. It may
be the more necessary as several of our former Letters are un-
answered, and of course may have miscarried.
I want to know the sum total you will accept, in full of all
claims and demands whatsoever.
Accept the best wishes of myself, family, and your old
Parishioners.
July 20th, 1796. Wm. Emott.
15. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 7.
Original letter from the Rev. John Beardsley.
Addressed on the outside to "Mr. William Emott at Poughkeepsie,
New York State Favoured by Thomas Barker Esqr." Reads as
follows:
Maugerville New Brunswick 29th August 1796
Dear Sir
I yesterday received your Favour of the 20th ult. in which
you write me that the people, Members of the protestant
Episcopal church, are earnestly desirous of coming to a speedy
and final Settlement with me.
I am happy to be confirmed in what I have ever thought of
my old friends there, which is, that they ever had, and still
have, too high a sense of Honour and Equity to do injustice to
one who had been about twelve years their faithful Servant in
an important calling.
In answer to the wish of my Friends among you, I will as
372
The Records of Christ Church
speedily as possible prepare a Statement of my little matters,
which shall (please God) be brought to you by one duly
authorized to compleat the Settlement you mention.
In that way, you may expect to hear from me within the
Term of the insuing Fall.
My affectionate respects and good wishes wait on you, your
Family, and all my Friends; and I am dear Sir your most
obedient and
Most humble
Servant
Mr. Emott. John Beardsley.
N.B.
This letter will be handed to you by my Friend
and Neighbor, Mr. Thomas Barker.
16. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 8.
Original memorandum from the Rev. John Beardsley.
Endorsed outside, in writing of William Emott, "Beardsley Acc't,
Received in Jan'r 1797."
A Memorandum of what is due to me from the Rector and Inhab-
itants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with the protestant Episcopal
Church in the State of New York, for my assisting them in purchasing
Lands, and procuring a Grant of the said Lands, for the use of the
above said protestant Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie; and for
Buildings which I put on those Lands; together with one years Ser-
vice that I did in their Church.
To cash paid toward the purchase of the
Land called the old Glebe £l30 — —
To building a Barn near the
dwelling House; 60 — —
To building one do. nigh the
main road, on the western division 40 — —
of the above said old Glebe;
To cash Spent in procuring a
Grant of the Lands for the Said Church
over and above what was repaid me 46 — —
To one years service £30, which I
will put down at 15 — 0—0
£291—0—0
Spanish Dollars at 8/ per Dollar.)
373
The Records ofCkrist Church
N.B.
That, as the people, Members of the before named Church,
avaU themselves of a Title to the Lands within mentioned,
I consider myself free from all claims, of any person or persons
whoever, respectmg those lands; and what I have charged, to
be justly due me, exclusive of interest; which I leave to be
considered in the Settlement to take place between those con-
cerned, and my son B. Crannell Beardsley, whom I send as
my Lawful Attorney, for that, as well as other. Business.
17th October 1796 John Beardsley.
I wish further to note, that all the Missionarys from the
Venerable Society, when called out of the States to settle
among us, were directed to bring with them their Librarys;
and further, that the Linen, put into the Surphce which I
brought with me, was a gift of Capt Harris to me, and it was
made by my wife.
The Great Bible, which I left in the Church at Pough-
keepsie, was a gift to me personally, for Services rendered on
a day when my parish did not want me for any other duty.
But on due consideration, I bestow it on Christs Church,
where I suppose it now is, for the use it has heretofore been
put to.
John Beardsley.
17. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 9.
Memorandum of testimony taken by the vestry in connection with
the claims of Mr. Beardsley.
Endorsed on outside, "Gideon Ostrander. Sale of the Glebe &c.
Memo. Emott & Badger 1797."
Kline Esopus 25th January 1797.
Gideon Ostrander gave the following narrative of the Sale of
the Glebe at the Request of William Emott and Ebenezer
Badger, Viz —
That he purchased the farm of old Hendrick Ostrom for six
hundred pounds.
One hundred pounds he paid down and Gave a Mortgage &
Bonds for five hundred, with interest at 5 ^ per Cent, payable
to the Executors, Administrators or Assigns of Hendrick
Ostrom after the decease of himself and wife, by installments
&c.
That he sold it afterwards for the use of a parsonage. The
whole of which transaction was conducted between himself
374
The Records of Christ Church
and Bartholomew Crannell, and Received one hundred
pounds of him and gave an indemnifying Bond to discharge
one hundred pound on the mortgage.
The remaining Four hundred pounds Crannell engaged to
pay on the mortgage, with interest at 7 per Cent, so that the
Glebe would amount to five hundred pounds.
But Ostrander consented, before Crannell gave him any ob-
ligations for the four hundred pounds above mentioned, that.
If Ostrom's heirs would accept four hundred pounds, — in
prompt payment infv'lof the five hundred pounds inserted in
the mortgage, so that he might be finally discharged from the
payment of the one hundred pounds for which the indemnify-
ing Bond was given, — to have the Business settled in that way.
Mr. Ostrander understood by Mr. Crannell that he had Set-
tled with Old Ostrom's heirs on that principle.
And that the Bonds and mortgage were in the hands of Mr.
Crannell, which he neglected to call for while Mr. Crannell
resided at Poughkeepsie.
And has since been informed that Crannell settled with the
heirs for £75.0.0 each.
Present
Peter Ostrander.
18. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 13.
1797, January (approximately). Copy of a communication made to
Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley by Jacob RadcliflFe, counsel for
Christ Church.
Sir
The demand, lately presented by you on the part of the
Rev'd John Beardsley against the members of the Episcopal
Church in this place, has been laid before the Vestry, who,
in order to facilitate a settlement, have referred the same to
us, with power on their part to close the business.
Pursuant to our appointment we have closely examined the
account, and compared it with the documents now remaining
with the Secretary, in order to ascertain with precision the
equitableness of the items.
The result of this research has been confusion. We find the
affairs of the Church in its first establishment so involved in
obscurity that they are, and must remain, inexplicable,
unless cleared up by extraneous testimony.
The information of persons who have been privy to the tran-
375
The Records of Christ Church
sactions is the most obvious, and perhaps may with propriety
be considered as the only, source, from whence this explanation
can be obtained.
A variety of circumstances have concurred to remove almost
every person concerned in these transactions, and the few who
remain are not able to dispel the darkness which surrounds
them.
Thus situated, it becomes necessary for us to refer ourselves,
through you, to your father for information, and we cannot
allow ourselves to doubt but that he will cheerfully comply
with our wishes.
! ; Before we commence this enquiry, we must be permitted to
observe that, as far as we are acquainted with the sentiments
of Vestry, they are perfectly disposed to settle with your father
on equitable terms, altho his demands have, at this late period
become so stale by their antiquity that he could not possibly
compel them to it.
With respect to the Lot of Land which he has mentioned,
with an earnestness bordering acrimony, we must take the
liberty of mentioning to him that, were the Vestry to surrender
the Land to him, which, however, we are persuaded they
never will do, and to charge him with the trouble and expense
they have been at about the same, he would not eventually be
a gainer by that arrangement.
He is too well acquainted with our situation during the War "
between this Country and Great Britain, and the measures we
had to pursue to retain the property, to need any further in-
formation on this head.
The first and the principle charge in the account exhibited
is for cash advanced on the purchase of the Glebe, set down by
your father in round numbers at £130.
This sum is in itself so considerable that we should not be
justified in the minds of the congregation, — which, at tliis time,
is composed in most part of persons who have not had the
pleasure of a personal acquaintance with your father, — unless
it is satisfactorily made out to whom, at what times, and how,
the payments have been made.
It will therefore be incumbent on your father to transmit to
you the evidences of the payments, and, when that is done,
we shall come to a speedy settlement with you.
We have a further reason in making this request, and that
is that the representatives of some of the Ostroms claim
376
The Records oj Christ Church
monies as still due on the purchase of the Glebe, and, if they
have been paid by your father, we wish the business so far as-
certained that we can combat their demand with a prospect of
success.
Should this not be done we might be liable to pay the same
monies twice, which we cannot consent to do.
One farther measure, among the variety of ways that these
payments can be ascertained, is the production of the bonds
originally given, and which we presume are either in the hands
of your father or with the papers of the late Mr. Crannell.
One farther measure is necessary on the part of your father,
and that is to send a release of all his claims on the lands.
This will be insisted on as an indispensable preliminary to our
negotiations. Not because it appears to us of any importance,
but to satisfy the minds of some scrupulous members of the
congregation, who have become startled at the reiteration by
your father of his pretentions to the lot.
19. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 207.
1797, Feb. 14, A Power of Attorney was laid on the Table by WiUiam
Emott, from the Rev'd John Beardsley to his son Bartholomew Crannel
Beardsley Esqr., containing full power for a settlement of all existing
accounts between the Reverend John Beardsley and this Corporation,
which was read and approved.
Resolved, that William Emott, Robert Noxon, John Read, James
Bramble and Ebenezer Badger, are hereby appointed a Select Com-
mittee to treat with Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley respecting the
claims of his Father, and report the same at the next meeting of
Vestry.
20. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 208.
1797, Feb. 15, [Meeting of the committee, appointed Feb. 14.]
The Claims of the Rev'd John Beardsley were laid before the Com-
mittee, who, after examining the same, drew up the following communi-
cation to his Attorney, Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley, viz :
The Demands your Father has made, through you, on the
Corporation of the Rector and Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie
in Communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
State of New York, has been laid before the Vestry, who have
referred the same to a Select Committee.
They have bestowed much pains in investigating the original
purchase of the Church Lands, and Mr. Beardsley's Agency
377
The Records ofChrist Church
therein, in order to ascertain what sums, to whom, and when
paid, were advanced out of his private purse.
Your Father states his Account at £130, without descending
to particulars.
Great was our surprise, when we discovered amongst the
old papers a Mortgage,^ in our possession, which covers the
whole purchase of the Ostrum farm, given by Ostrander, on
which there is an assignment to the Church, executed by
Andreas Ostrum, Hendrick Ostrimi, and Jacobus Ostrum, for
three-fifths of the £500 for which the mortgage was given, with
the signature of their Mother, the widow Ostrum, respecting
the annuity therein mentioned for her support.
But John Ostrum and his sister, Nelly Westervelt, for some
reasons (unknown to us), have not signed the release on the
back of the instrument; so that receipts are still wanting for
their two-fifths of the £500. This leaves a possibility of an
incumbrance on the land which we are determined shall not
exist.
It is our duty therefore to collect vouchers, receipts, and
other evidence, that they also have been paid and satisfied.
The presumption with us is that your Father paid Nelly,
but, in order to make it appear, you are requested to write to
him, instantly to send on his vouchers.
John, we suppose has also received payment. Your Father
will also send information on that subject with his receipts.
We have discovered that the Original Bonds are with Mr.
Crannell's papers; that he received them together with the
above mortgage. These he neglected to give to our Secre-
tary, John Davis, when he put the mortgage into Mr. Davis's
hands for the Church.
Our Counsel advises that, if those Bonds accompanyed the
Mortgage, it would in effect preclude its operation.
Your Father will no doubt cheerfully procure the papers,
and send them on with all other receipts & vouchers for
moneys paid, with a particular statement of circumstances
relative thereto, in detail.
The reason why we have not given you an answer sooner,
arose from the embarassments and perplexitys with which
these antient transactions are surrounded.
1 On file with parochial manuscripts are the deed from the Ostroms to
Gideon Ostrander and Ostrander's bond to them securing ^500; signa-
tures on the bond as described in the text.
378
The Records of Christ Church
In fact, the present Vestry have to guide themselves princi-
pally by informations, not having personal knowledge in this
rfusmess.
You will also be so oblidging as to state to your Father the
foUowmg facts.-That this Corporation, from the date of its
existence, have had a good title for these Lands, and peaceable
possession to this day.
But, as you have hinted that he has some distant preten-
tions to some part thereof, you must procure a Release,
recitmg that as these, and other Lands, thereunto adjoining
were purchased by the inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in the
County of Dutchess and Province of New York, in communion
of the Church of England as by law Established, as a Glebe -
which, for want of Letters of incorporation, were held by
Deeds of trust only, as, by referring to the Minutes of the Gov-
ernor and Council &c, of the 31st December 1771, will fully
appear; and that Government did Vest the same, pursuant
to the petition of him, the Rev'd John Beardsley, in the Cor-
poration then distinguished by the Name and Stile of "The
Rector and Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess County
m Communion of the Church of England, as by Law Estab-
hshed, by a Royal Charter and Confirmation bearing date
the nmth Day of March 1773,-this will be an indispensable
preliminary m our negotiations.
Your Father wished to obtain a Deed for part of these
Lands, m the year 1774, from the Corporation. Mr. Crannell
personally opposed and defeated the measure. Mr. Beardsley
will recollect the objection.
Full confidence was reposed by the Vestry in those two
Gentlemen, who alone were privy to the purchase of the Glebe
The Circumstances of the Mortgage, lately discovered.
seems to account in part for the Violent Opposition made by
your Grand Father.
Your Father having enter 'd into a joint Bond with Peter
Harris to pay old Mrs. Ostrum an annuity. Jacobus Ostrum
comes forward as Administrator to his Mother's estate, and
Demands from Mr. Beardsley, as by the Statement handed
in by yourself, for the sum of £96.9.7 }4.
If your Father can procure from Mrs. Harris any receipts for
payments made by her late' husband, it will extinguish so
much of that Claim.
These are difficultys to be got over,— and you will readily
79
The Records of Christ Church
agree with us that the Vestry cannot Consent, on any princi-
ple, to pay money on the Land Business, while Claims or
Incumbrances exist beyond their value.
Mr. Beardsley says he has advanced £130 .0.0
Jacobus Ostrum Charges Mr. Beardsley
for his Mother's Annuity 96 . 9 . 7& H
On old Ostiums Mortgage which
has or must be paid 200 .0.0
£426.9.7&H
Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley present.
Ordered that Mr. Badger deliver a Copy of the above to B. CranneU
Beardsley Tomorrow.
21. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 215.
1797, Apr. 18, On motion of Mr. Emott and seconded by Mr. Davis
resolved, that the Select Committee be authorized to Draw on the
Treasurer for the payment of Forty-four Pounds, to be apphed to the
purchase of a Certain Bond in favour of the widow of the late Henry
Ostrum Des'd, now in the possession of Jacobus Ostrum, Adminis-
trator of the said Widow Ostrum, against John Beardsley and Peter
Harris late Inhabitants of Poughkeepsie.
22. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 216.
1797, Apr. 20, In consequence of an Order on the Treasurer by the
select Conamittee to pay the Amount of a Certain Bond, above or
heretofore described, he has paid the Sum of £44 .13.4 and thereon has
obtained a full discharge from Jacobus Ostrum as Administrator to
the widow of the late Henry Ostrum Des'd.
23. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 10.
Heading: "Extracts from Mr. Beardsley's letter to B. Crannell
Beardsley of June 12th, 1797." [Apparently a copy of parts of a
letter, furnished the vestry for their consideration.]
If they [the committee of the vestry of Poughkeepsie] wish
to do me justice, their business is to allow me what I long since
advanced in procuring and improviag the lands I left in their
possession, with the interest for what I paid, from the time
they received the rent of them."
They say they have a good title to those lands; but I am
confident Mr. Richard Davis and Mr, Will'm Emott, and per-
380
The Records oj Christ Church
haps others, can recollect that the whole being granted to the
church was to prevent the expence of two grants instead of
one; and that the reason of Mr. Crannell's objecting (at a Ves-
try meeting) against my receiving their deed for one third of
the land contained in the old Glebe, was on account of an
error in the first estimate of the number of acres in it, being at
first considered only about 70 acres, as will appear from the
deed given me by Ostrander containing 23 acres; but by an
after survey of the old Glebe, it was found to contain at least
a himdred acres, and of consequence, that instead of 23 I
ought to have had thirty-three acres. Mr. Crannell's only
Objection to my having a deed from the corporation, was that
it might be put off till a fair division should be made, that I
might be allowed in the conveyance a third part of the land
contained in the old Glebe. All which I am confident the
Vestry then being, must, on due recollection remember."
To make matters as clear as possible, I inclose herewith the
deeds, bonds, & all that I can find among Mr. Crannell's papers
which relate to the business.
The account I sent by you, in my charge against the cor-
poration, is just, and I cannot alter it; who can suppose that I
took receipts for what I advanced at so many different times
and places to defray my expenses, and for the checks at the
different offices, to procure the charter and grant.?"
My character through life I think might have some weight,
with respect to the justice of my charge, at least among people
of consideration that know me, and it would be a great injury
done me to insinuate the contrary."
I have not a doubt but all Ostrom's heirs are paid, though I
have not perhaps sufficient vouchers (excepting Nelly the
daughter) ; and that the whole of the embarassment must rest
upon me, when the most of my claim can be but one third, —
would be contrary to the order of nature.
24. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 219.
1797, Sep. 5, On Motion of Mr. Emott & seconded by Mr. Mitchell
that a Committee be appointed consistmg of Three of the Vestry to
investigate and employ Council in the discussion of the claims exhibited
against this Corporation by the Reverend John Beardsley, Whereupon,
Messrs Richard Davis, William Emott, and John Reade were Unan-
imously Chosen.
381
The Records ofChrist Church
25. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 231.
1799, Apr. 4, Resolved that Mr. John Davis and Mr. WilUam Emott
be a Committee to see Bartholomew Crannell Beardsley Esquire, and
endeavor to investigate the Claim of the Rev'd John Beardsley and
to take such farther measures in the business as they shall deem most
advantageous to the church.
26. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 15.
Copy of a Letter to the Rev'd John Beardsley.
Poughkeepsie April 17th, 1799.
Rev'd Sir
The Vestry of Christs Church of this place, anxious if possi-
ble to hquidate and finally adjust all subsisting differences
in accounts between yourself and them, enbrace with pleasure
this opportunity of your Son returning to New Brunswick,
who will, from the Conversation they have had with him,
be able to convey their sentiments more fully than can possibly
be communicated on paper.
In the first place your Charge for Salary they think in-
admissable, as you are fully convinced that the then times
totally disenabled them from making any Collections of
Salary or even any other dues to the Church.
Also your Charge for obtaining the Charter, as they find
from the Books the Sum of £14.13.4 charged by Mr. John
Davis for moneys paid you for the expences in Obtaining the
Charter.
Any Charges you may have for money advanced towards
the purchase of Lands in the possession of the Church, or
Buildings erected thereon, will meet with every attention and
Consideration.
In takiag a View of the Old Books and accounts, it appears
that sums of money had been Collected by Mr. Crannell,
together with his Subscription of £50.0.0 for Building the
Church, and also sums Collected by yourself; whether, if
those accoimts were properly Liquidated, it would not
(assure?) you a sufficient sum to reimburse you for any ad-
vances you may have made on account of the Glebe.
As your Son will probably return this way, you are request-
ed to furnish him with a History of the transactions, according
to the best of your recollection, of the purchase of the Glebe,
also the sums paid and to whom, as we wish if possible fully to
extinguish all old Claims; be so oblidging to commit the detail
382
The Records of Christ Church
to writing, and, should it be either in your own or your Son's
power to find any papers or accounts, amongst the papers of
Mr. Crannell, that will throw any light upon the subject,
they request it may be particularly attended to.
Should your Son return this way, advise that he may be fur-
nished with a Quit-Claim, duly executed by you, respecting a
Certain Lot of Land, in order to extinguish all future claims on
a final settlement.
The Bond of Ostrum and Harris was paid up the 19th April,
1797, and is now in the Hands of the Vestry of Christ Church
of this place.
In looking over the Books, find an account against Mr
Crannell, a Copy of which inclose, as there is no Credit on the
Books; suppose of course you will be able to find his Charges
against the Church, which will of course assist in a final ad-
justment of all the business.
We are Rev'd Sir
respectfully your most obed
Hum'l Servants
in behalf of the Vestry Stephen Hoyt Sect'y-
27. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 261.
1803, Aug. 4, Mr. Samuel Nichols of the City of St. Johns and
Province of New Brunswick appeared before our Board and says he
is duly authorized by the Rev'd John Beardsley to Demand from this
Corporation a Certain Lot of Land lying in the Town of Poughkeepsie,
distinguished by the Name of the twenty-three acre lot, and that
he is instructed by said Beardsley, in case of a cession of said land
to him, to Relinquish all other Claims that the said John Beardsley
now has against said Corporation. This meeting adjourned until
tomorrow at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
28. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 16.
Heading: "Memorandum for the use of Vestry 5th August 1803."
An unsigned paper, in the handwriting of William Emott. Consists of
one large sheet; ends so abruptly as to indicate that half the sheet
is lacking. Reads as follows :
Statement supposed to be correct — Rev'd Mr. Beardsley
was appointed a Missionary at Groton in Connecticut in 1763.
The Society in England consented to transfer the mission
to Dutchess county, on the application of Mr. Beardsley, and
to Continue their Bounty of £60 .0.0a year, on condition that
383
The Records oJChrist Church
the people of Fishkill and Poughkeepsie would purchase a
Glebe for the residence of the parson.
It was agreed that subscriptions should be opened to Raise
money for that purpose.
The Fishkill gentlemen intended a small farm should be
purchased in their town. Mr. Crannell contended for the
place that was afterwards purchased.
This point being submitted to Mr. Beardslej^ he declared
in favour of Poughkeepsie, where a place was offered for
£600.
The Fishkill (gentlemen) found themselves committed; en-
deavored to frustrate the purchase, alledging that £600 was
too large a sum; they could prociu-e a place in their town for
£400.
Mr. Beardsley, desirous of accomplishing the purchase at
Poughkeepsie, ofiFered that, if the Churches could not take the
whole, he would by some means or other take a third part.
The Fishkill was in this manner compelled to submit.
There being very few churchmen at that time in Pough-
keepsie, Mr. Crannell and Mr. Beardsley volunteered in man-
aging the whole concern; they collected the donation moneys,
and made the purchase so far as related to our Church.
There is reason to believe that Mr. Beardsley so managed
the Business, agreeable to his above declaration, and had a
deed executed to him for the 23 acre lot. But as he was at
that time (that is, in 1767), a person of Httle or no property, it
may be presumed the consideration money was part of the
public donations received by him. For, as he was not in
Cash, if it came from another source it must be in his recollec-
tion from whom he borrowed the money. Why then does he
deny us this information, and produce no vouchers but his
old deed.
It is further to be remarked that Mr. Craimell & the parson
continued to direct the temporalitys of the Church with the
assistance of a nominal Vestry, who kept no regular minutes
of their proceedings until about 1772; during which period
they had the entire disposal of all money matters, and it is to
be lamented that they never came forward after the Charter
was obtained from the then government to explain the pur-
chase of the Glebe and the payments.
By which means their transactions for a Number of years
are not well understood, and no person on earth can give an
384
The Records of Chr i St Church
explanation but Mr. Beardsley. And, what is surprising,
he to this day evades or neglects giving the vestry the necess-
ary information.
The Church have always expressed a willingness to remun-
erate Mr. Beardsley for any cash he has advanced to their
use, but have not the most distant idea of his having any just
or legal title to the 23 acres, for a number of Reasons, some of
which are as follows — to wit —
1st, Because it does not appear that Mr. Beardsley paid a
valuable consideration out of his private purse.
2d, Because Mr. Beardsley, no doubt from proper convic-
tions, accepted the appointment of Agent for this congrega-
tion to Government to obtain a Confirmation and Letters
patent for these lands to this Corporation, himself being the
principal petitioner, wherein he set forth that this parcel of
land, together with the other part of the Ostrom farm, were
all purchased for the use of this Church and held by deeds of
trust only.
3d, Because Mr. Beardsley, before the Revolution, constant-
ly declared himself divested of all title to these Lands; in
consequence of which, being desirous to own the property, he
made application to the Vestry for a Reconveyance, which
was indignantly refused by Mr. Crannell, then a Warden.
After this application, near 30 years since, his pretended claim
has lain Dormant.
And 4th, Because Mr. Beardsley has permitted this piece of
Land to remain in the Quiet possession of this Corporation
for more than 25 years; who were at the trouble and expence
of protecting it against Locations and confiscations, which
would have been the case if the evidence of the title being in
us, and not in him, had not been clearly made out to the sat-
isfaction of the Officers of Government.
It is worthy of observation that Mr. Beardsley and Mr.
Crannell Received considerable sums of money from time to
time, acting in concert, and, notwithstanding their leaving
Business at such loose ends, it is manifest that Mr. Crannell
received repeatedly large sums of money, and converted them
to his own use independent of Glebe money. But it has been
foxmd convenient, since the connection between the two fam-
ilies, to be perfectly silent on this disagreeable subject.
We are disposed to do justice to all men, and expect the same
kind of treatment.
385
The Records of C hr i s t Church
29. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 17.
1803, Aug. 5, the probable date, of a fragment in the handwriting of
of WilUam Emott, and bearing his and other signatures. Refers,
apparently to No. 28, above.
The above paper being read in Vestry was unanimously
allowed to be correct & proper to the Best of their knowledge
and Belief. And being read a Second time by WiUiam Emott
— in the presence of Ebenezer Balding, Ebenezer Badger and
Leonard Davis, on the 7th of Aug'st 1803— to Richard Davis,
he also, on being asked the question declared the statement
to be true to the best of his knowledge.
WiUiam Emott
Eben'r Badger
Eben'r Baldwin
And Mr. Davis acknowledged he did not know any payments
made by John Beardsley on the 23 acre lot.
30. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 216.
1803, Aug. 5, After looking over Minutes of the Vestry of this Cor-
poration Respecting the Demand made yesterday By Mr. Samuel
Nichols, in behalf of the Rev'd John Beardsley, for the Glebe Lot,
they are of opinion that said Beardsley has no Claim either in Law or
Equity to said Glebe, and that William Emott Esqr is Requested and
impowered to give a Verble Answer to said Nichols of our Opinion,
and that they will not give up said Glebe to any Person unless legally
obtain'd, and also that said Emott is Requested to Imploy Garret B.
Van Ness as Council for said Vestry in the above matters.
31. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 18.
Letter, addressed: "The Rev'd Mr. Chase, Present."
Poughkeepsie 6th Sept, 1803.
To the Pastor, Wardens, & Vestry of the Episcopal Church,
Gent'n,
At the Meeting held sometime past at the Rev'd Mr. Chase,
I Demanded of you to give up the Possession of a certain lot of
Land, the property of the Rev'd John Beardsley. Which lot
of land I now Demand, or to pay me the sum of £291 lawful
money of the State of New York. Upon receipt of the afore-
mentioned sum of £291, 1 will execute to you a Quit Claim of
said lot of land and give you a full Discharge from all accounts
386
The Records ofChrist Church
whatsoever the Rev'd John Beardsley may have against the
Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie.
You will Please give me an answer to this Proposal.
I remain Gent'n
your hmb Servt
Samuel Nichols.
On the outside of this letter is written:
To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ's Church
I do not deem the contents of the within curious commu-
nication of sufficient consequence to justify me in calling a
meeting. Nevertheless, if anj' of you should diflfer from me
in this opinion, I beg you would signify the same to
Gentlemen
yours &c
P. Chase.
Parsonage house — Septemb'r 6, 1803.
32. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 268.
1805, Apr. 17, Resolved, that a Committee of two persons be appointed
to wait on the Rev'd Mr. Beardsley, to inquire whether it be his wish
to meet the Vestry upon the unsettled business between him and this
Corporation, and, in case he shall desire it, to make arrangements for
calling a Special meeting of the Vestry.
Whereupon the two Wardens were appointed that Committee.
33. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 268-69.
1805, Apr. 22, Resolved, that William Emott, John Davis, & Randle
Street be a Conamittee for the purpose of Conferring with the Rev'd
John Beardsley respecting any com m u n ications he may wish to make
to this board, and report the substance of the conference in writing
to this board at their next meeting.
34. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 22.
Communication addressed to "William Emott Esquire Poughkeepsie.'*
Endorsed in Emott's writing, — "G. B. Van Ness Councellor & Opinion
respecting a Claim on Land by Mr. Beardsley." Reads as follows:
Sir,
I have perused the statement you have made for me relative
to the claim of the Rev'd John Beardsley to one third part of
your Glebe.
387
The Records ofChrist Church
It appears from the above statement that the claimant has
a conveyance from the original proprietor of the Glebe of the
one third part thereof, which, on the face of it, appears to be
an absolute deed in fee simple.
It appears from documents within your power that this deed
was taken and held in trust for the Church.
It also appears that in the year 1773 a deed of confirmation
was sued out from the then Governor and Council for the
Glebe, including the premises now claimed, whereby the
church have ever since held the possession of the same.
I am of opinion : — That if the trust can be estabhshed, that
a court will always presume that the trustee has surrendered
or reconveyed for the benefit of the cestui que trust, who in
this case would be the Church, in order to protect the pos-
session against the tTUstee.
I also think that the Church, having had more than 20
years possession, and such possession acquired at least under
color of right, will in law be deemed adverse and thus defeat
an action of Ejectment.
The former seems to me to furnish the more valid and com-
plete defence, and therefore would advise your principal atten-
tion to that &c.
Equitable claims seem not at present to be the basis of in-
quiry, I therefore forbear giving an opinion on them.
Yours respectfully
&c
G.B. Van Ness.
May 17, 1805. '
To Wm Emott Esqr
Agent for Church aflfairs.
35. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 269.
1805, May 23, The committee appointed at the last meeting to confer
with the Rev'd Mr. Beardsley reported that they had rec'd the Claims
of Mr. Beardsley in writing, which were read to the board and ordered
to be placed on file.
[Editor's note: This document is on file in Parish Mss., Glebe
papers, Section F, No. 19, A copy of it is here inserted in
connection with the quotation from Vestry Minutes.]
388
The Records of Christ Church
The Corporation of the Episcopal Church at Poughkeepsie,
To John Beardsley, Clerk, jy
The barn I left standing on my Land was 49 by ^ '
21 feet, 32 feet covered with shingle, the residue
with Boards, the roof of that part covered with
boards projected beyond the body of the building
so as to form a shed for cattle. This building
being removed by order or permission of the Cor-
poration, I charge as an item of my account, which,
though at an under, or very low, appraisement,
I set it down at £ ^^ ^ ^
To a barn built on the Glebe wholely at my ex-
pence
To one years salary oq
60. 0.0
0.0
To cash I spent in procuring a Charter of incor
poration for the church and patent of confirmation
for the Glebe and my own Land 64 q q
To the use and occupation of 23 acres of Land
from December 1777 to May 1783, 5 years at
£6.0.0 per year \ 30
To do. tiU 1800, 17 years, £lO per year. . ' " 170
" " " 1805, 5 " £15 - " :: 75: oio
Per Contra ' ^i
By cash in hand toward defraying of the expenses
of procuring the Charter and confirmation of title
to the land about £ 14 on
By my proportion of the expense in procuring
the patent of confirmation to the Glebe, including
my 23 acres, which at the time I took my deed
was supposed to be one third in quantity of the
Land purchased of Ostrander 21 q q
By cash paid to Jacobus Ostrum by the Corpora-
*^°^ 75. 0.0
-, ^ £110. 6.8
By ballance due 35g jg a
Errors excepted £409. 0.0
Poughkeepsie
22d of April
1^05 John Beardsley
389
The Records of Christ Church
N. B. As I had great anxiety, and used much exertion in up
Building and estabhshment of the Episcopal church in its in-
fancy here, So I would wish to demonstrate in the Business
before us. That I have not forgotten the Sacred connection
between us; and as the above articles are rendered on a prin-
ciple that the demand is founded in equity, and the sums far
within the bounds which Strict Justice points out, Should they
not be acceeded to, I hold myself at hberty in future to demand
what I suppose good conscience will warrant; Especially with
respect to the Charges for the use and occupation of my Land;
which Land I expect will without hesitation be Surrendered
to me.
John Beardsley.
[Editor's note: Accompanying the above account, is a separate
sheet, filed as No. 20 of Section F, Glebe papers, which is
endorsed in Wilham Emott's writing, — "John Beardsley 1805
Observations &c May 7th." A copy of it is here inserted.]
With the Statement I handed in, I wish also to present fol-
lowing Notes or memorandum respecting the Farm pur-
chased of Ostrander by the Members of the Church and me.
The whole was bought for £600 .0.0 and as I was one third in
the purchase I became responsible for £200. At the time I
took a deed of Ostrander, the old Farm was thought to con-
tain only 70 acres, and my third was concluded to be but 23
acres, as my deed shews.
The dwelling House, the well, the Barrack, the apple
orchard and other fruit trees being on the part the Church
purchased, it was considered equally valuable by the acre with
what was set off to me. The Farm afterwards was found to
contain a hundred acres, which left me Short of my Just
Dividend.
It was on this accovmt that Mr. Crannell, at a meeting of
the Vestry, prevailed on the members to put ofiF a re-grant or
deed from them to me of the 23 acres (as he said to me) that
in the final adjustment I might have more land allowed me.
It is no doubt well known to Sundry here, that my 23 acres,
being included in the grant of lands given to the Church, was
Solely with a view to prevent a double Cost, which must have
(been) incurred had I taken out a Separate grant to my 23
acres.
390
The Records of Christ Church
The method which took place was thought the best, and it
was so done on the principle above mentioned.
My motive in presenting this memorandum is to assist those
who were here on the Spot, at the time when the matters re-
ferred to were transacted, in a due recollection; and, withal,
to inform others who have Since Settled here, and have become
members of the Corporation, whose right it is to know the
grounds of the whole business. As I did not remove from
Poughkeepsie to New York and Join the British Side of my
own accord, but went by Constraint, being Sent away by the
powers then prevailing, I was not considered in the light of
those who left their home of Choice, and therefore no attainder
was ever made out against me.
[Continued:— minutes of May 23, 1805.]
The Committee also reported a Statement in writing of the situation
of the Controversy with the Rev'd Mr. Beardsley as far as the same
had come to their knowledge, which was read to the board.
[Editor's note: This document is on file in Parish Mss., Glebe
papers, Section F, No. 21. A copy of it is here inserted in
connection with the quotation from Vestry Minutes. The
writing is William Emott's.]
May 1805 Memorandum and minutes supposed to be cor-
rect for the use of the investigating Committee, relative to
certain Claims of the Rev'd Jno Beardsley.
This gentelman, being a Missionary of the society for propa-
gating the gospel in foreign parts, came from Groton in Con-
necticut to Fishkill about the year 1766 to establish a mission,
and getting acquainted with Messrs Cooke and Laroux and
others in that town, they entered zealously into the measure.
The terms proposed were that a small Farm or Glebe should
be purchased for the use of the clergyman, with a Salary of
£60.0.0 pr annum, this being complied with by one or more
congregations as he should agree to; the Society on their part
would furnish a Library and Settel an anuity on the mission of
£35.0.0 Sterling.
The gentelemen of Fishkill, wishing to embrace this Opper-
tunity, made sutable exertions in their Vicinity.
But, not possessing resources competent to the Occasion,
with Mr. Beardsley's consent, they sought for assistance from
the adjoining town of Poughkeepsie, who, with respect of num-
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The Records ofChrist Church
bers or wealth, were vastly inferior and might be Shook of at
a Convenient Season.
Under these impressions, Messrs Crannell, Harris, and
Others were resorted to and some of the inhabitants of Po-
quague & Nine Partners were induced to give their feeble aid.
These gentelmen held their meetings at Peter Harris's,
(now Ingrams); the necessity of the case obliged them to
form a self-created Society, it was called a Vestry meeeting
of the four Churches.
The first step was to agree where the Glebe should be pur-
chased, whether in Fishkill or Poughkeepsie.
The gentelmen from the first of these places, considering
themselves as principles, expected little opposition to having
it in their town and neighborhood.
Mr. Crannell, however, a Sharp sighted man, took care to
make sutable impressions on the clergyman of the propriety
of making the purchase at Poughkeepsie.
All this was Correct. However, when the thing was to be
settled at Harris's, the one side advocated the purchase of a
place near Mr. Cooke's ; the other, Ostrander's farm; after
a lengthy and warm altercation, in which neither of the parties
would yield, they had but one alternative and pledged their
honour to abide the decision of Mr. Beardsley.
He, being called into the room, and not being suffered to de-
cline giving an Opinion, was in favour of Ostrander Farm.
Mr. Cooke and his friends were much mortified and dis
appointed at the parson's decision.
However, as they had committed themselves, they endeav-
ored to have a reconsideration; on the principle that (the)
Ostrander farm would cost about a third more than the Fish-
kill Glebe and contained fewer acres; that the Joint efforts of
the intended Churches might not be suflScient to raise the
purchase money.
Mr. Beardsley was by some means induced to offer, if no
better plan could be devised, to take }i of the Land rather
than return to New England and abandon his present plan of
a Settelment in Dutchess County.
This silenced the opposition, and subscriptions were set on
foot to purchase the Ostrander Farm.
From this period, Mr. Cooke and his friends reposed less
confidence in Mr. Beardsley, and a cordial intimacy on the
part of the Clergyman took place with Mr. Crannell, who,
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The Records of Christ Church
from this moment, until the grant and Charter was obtained
the 9th of March in the year 1773, might be considered the
dictator of every measure Relative to the Church affairs of
Poughkeepsie.
These two gentelmen made the purchase from Ostrander
together with Messrs Cooke & Laroux with others, all of whom
were nominal Cliurch wardens and Vestrymen; their powers,
if any they had, could only be of an Ecclesiastical Nature.
Mr. Crannell, being counsellor and conveyancer, drew one
deed for % to the Society in England, and the other for ^
to Mr. Beardsley. This policy was necessary to induce the
society to establish the mission, and to appease the FishkiU
gentelmen.
Mr. Beardsley was at this time in low circumstances, as is
generally the case with young professional men, and, having
no connections to assist him in pecuniary matters, it is con-
ceived that his receiving a conveyance thro the management of
Mr. Crannell was merely a nominal thing; for he has never
condescended to inform the episcopal Corporation of any
payments made by him on the lot he pretends to Claim, or of
his giving a Bond at the time. The presumption therefore is
that he did not advance the money or give his Obligation.
In corroberation of the foregoing statement— Jno. Beard-
. sley, Barth'w Crannell, Isaac Balding, & Richard Davis
Signed a petition to Gov'r Tryon 4 Oct'r 1771, Setting forth,
m Substance, that all the lands purchased of Ostrander was the'
Sole property of the Church, & was, for want of Letters of
incorporation held by Deeds of trust only,— to wit a Deed to
the Society and also a deed to Mr. Beardsley; all which is
again contained in the Recitals in the Confirmation and Char-
ter and other Documents.
And this same Mr. Beardsley, under the Counsel and direc-
tion of Mr. Crannell, went to New York as Agent, and pre-
sented said petition, and attended to Business with the utmost
diligence, until he got it accomplished. For which he charges
£46.0.0.
It would be too tedious here to investigate the manner in
which this purchase was made of Ostrander. It should seem
that the purchasers were to step into Ostrander 's shoes as it
respected Ostrom's heirs.
The Old man being dead, but the widow was at that time
living; and, as the payments would not become due until after
393
The Records of C hr i s t Church
her death, and her children (were) much in want of Cash, by
consent of the mother her children were suflfered to dispose of
their shares; which 3 out of 5 at least did, at a discount for
prompt payment.
The subscription moneys were received and applyed by
Crannell & Beardsley. That Mr. Beardsley did not advance
money, is evident from his entering into a Joint Obligation
with Peter Harris to pay the sum of £8.0.0 a year interest
money to the Old lady during her life; £4.0.0 of which was
afterwards annually paid by Mr. Beardsley to her until about
1776.
The remainder that Beardsley was to have paid, and the
whole sum due from Harris, has been paid by the Corporation,
and the Obligation taken up in 1797 by the advice of Jacob
Radcliffe Esqr.
It is believed that if Mr. Beardsley had continued here, and
Mr. Crannell and himself had settled up their accounts, the
Vestry — being now a legal body — would either have Reim-
bursed the Sums that Mr. Beardsley had advanced, if any; or
they might have Sold and Conveyed the lot to him, if he found
himself in Circumstances to make the purchase.
Why this arrangement did not take place between the 9th
March 1773, the time when this Body politic was Created,
and Nov'r 1776 when he removed to New York, is mysterious.
The corporation, from the first moment of its existence,
found themselves in possession of a title to the lands in ques-
tion by the procurement of Messrs. Crannell & Beardsley; and
in the Charter the one is named as Rector the Other church
warden, and remained in their Respective offices while they
Continued in Poughkeepsie.
Thus the Father-in-law and son-in-law had it amply in their
power without opposition to have accounted for all moneys
by them received or paid out, and made a final Settelment.
The corrispondence with Mr. Beardsley is on file with the
Church papers, and the Reports of Various Committees will be
found on the minutes of Vestry.
The acc't books of the Church justify a belief that Mr.
Crannell's estate is considerably indebted to the Corporation,
and Mr. Crannell Beardsley received a large legacy from that
estate.
If therefore the Rev'd Mr. Beardsley should come forward
with a Spirit of Conciliation, and abandon the Ideas of Suits,
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The Records oj Christ Church
that Evil Counsellors may have infused into his mind, it is pre-
sumed that the Vestry would not suffer themselves to be out-
done in frankness & genorosity. Let him bring forward his
Vouchers, and where these are wanting give his Statements
from recollection. A Reasonable accomodation would pro-
bably be the Result. But if a different course is pursued it is
easy to foresee the unpleasant consequences that must ensue.
N.B. Mr. Beardsley and others supposed he was indicted or
attainted.
G. Livingston says this is not the fact.
11 May 1805.
[Continued: -minutes of May 23, 1805.]
The Board then proceeded to take the Claims of the Rev'd Mr.
Beardsley upon this Corporation above referred to, into Consideration,
when, after a dispationate and candid examination of the same, it was
Resolved Unanimously
That, altho we entertain Sentiments of respect and esteem for the
Rev'd John Beardsley our former Pastor, we are constrained to re-
.fect the Claims he has made on this Corporation through our
Committee. The board however are Sincerely disposed to compensate
him for any monies which may have been paid by him, or advanced out
of his private property, in the purchase of the farm from Gideon
Ostrander, or any part of it, for the use of the Church. In which they
mean not only to be Just but Generous, if that part of his claim is dis-
posed of without Vexatious and expensive Law suits. They will
patiently, in the Spirit of concihation, investigate all his other demands,
and will endeavor to pursue such measures as will free them from cen-
sure of acting from improper motives by every unprejudiced person.
Ordered, that the Clerk present a Copy of the above Resolution to the
Rev'd Mr. Beardsley now in Poughkeepsie, without delay.
36. Parish Mss., Glebe papers. Section F, No. 30.
Mr. Beardsley's reply to the above resolution of vestry.
Addressed, — "The Rev'd Highlander Chase Rector of Christ Church
Poughkeepsie."
Your resolution of the twenty second ultimo, respecting
my claims on the Corporation, I received the day before yes-
terday at 10 o'clock P. M. by Mr. Badger your Clerk. By
which it appears 'That the Board are sincerely disposed to
compensate me for any monies which may have been paid by
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The Records ofChrlist C hu r c h
me or advanced out of my private property in the purchase of
the farm from Gideon Ostrander or any part of it.'
The monies that I paid out of my private property was five
hundred dollars. The interest on that sum from the thir-
teenth of December in the year 1777, when I left and when the
Church took possession, would at this time amount to $959 . 00.
I will now release all my right in the said land if the Board will
give me $1250.00, being $209.00 less than the legal interest;
meaning however to leave the Claims which I have against
the Board as a subject for future discussion.
You will perceive from the above offer. Gentlemen, that I
ask nothing from your generosity. I only wish for Justice,
and to evince to you that I do not desire Vexatious and expen-
sive Law suits,' I will accept less than my right.
You are not however to consider me as boimd by this prop-
osition hereafter, in Case it should now be rejected, and your
explicit answer to this proposition is requested as soon as possi-
ble.
[Editor's note: — The signature to this paper has
been cut away apparently for an autograph.]
37. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section-^F, No.f23.
Letter, addressed to "Randall S. Street Esqr or to the Church
wardens of Christ Church Poughkeepsie."
Poughkeepsie 13th June 1805.
Gentlemen,
It is more than a month since I wrote and requested to know
what the Vestry had done with respect to the papers I gave in
when we met at Mr. Emott's.
The reason of this delay is to me unaccountable!
I hope, however, to hear from you, and that soon, as sus-
pense in the Business depending is painful.
Unless I am gratifyd by your answer, I must proceed in
future as my Counsel may direct me.
I am Gentlemen your humble
Servant
John Beardsley.
To the Conamittee of the Corporation of Christ
Church at Poughkeepsie.
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The Records ofChrist Church
38. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 270.
1805, June 20, Letter read to the vestry from Mr. Beardsley.
Resolved unanimously that the board cannot agree to the demands
of Mr. Beardsley as mentioned in the above Letter.
Resolved that the Clerk of this board communicate the above
Resolution to Mr, Beardsley immediately.
39. Parish Mss. Glebe papers. Section F, No. 24.
Poughkeepsie 29th June 1805.
Mr. Beardsley
presents his Compliments to the Corporation of the Rector
and inhabitants of Poughkeepsie in Communion with (the)
Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, and
proposes, by way of Accomodation, reserving to himself all
his legal and equitable Rights in case the corporation does not
ratify the proposals, herein after mentioned, by the first day of
August next.
1 John Beardsley agrees to Release all Demands against
the said corporation, both in law and equity, and to Execute
a Release and quit claim to the said Corporation of one moiety
of the Lands now in the Occupation of James Moore on the
following conditions —
2 Mr. Beardsley to make an equal division of the said
land, respect being had unto Quality as well as Quantity, the
Corporation to have the choice of the lotts or visa versa —
3 The expense of the Survey and conveyance to be paid
equally by the parties —
4 James Moore to have the liberty of taking of the hay
and crop now on the ground, but he is not to commit waste
or remove any of the fences.
John Beardsley.
40. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 272.
1805, July 1, [the above proposition by Mr. Beardsley was presented
to the vestry by John Davis, warden.]
On motion made and seconded, — Resolved that the aforesaid pro-
positions be accepted, provided that, if at any time hereafter, the heirs
of Hendrick Ostrom deceased, or any of them, should recover any Sum
or Sums of money from this Corporation, on Account of any Legal
Licumbrance, if any such does exist on the farm purchased from Gideon
Ostrander, of which the Lands in Question constitute a part, then the
397
The Records of Christ Church
said John Beardsley or his legal representatives, shall be liable to pay
one half of such costs, or expenses, be the same more or less.
This Corporation farther declares, — That, they absolutely deny that
he the said John Beardsley has any right. Title, or demand to the
Lands purchased from said Gideon Ostrander, or any part thereof,
either in Law or Equity; Neither has he, the said John Beardsley, any
other demand whatsoever against this Corporation; But, that any
Lands, that may be Quitclaimed to the said John Beardsley, is con-
sidered as a donation, and Testimony of our good will and affection
towards him.
Resolved, that, William Emott, Robert Noxon, and Ebenezer Badger
be a Committee to carry the above resolution into effect within the
limited time, if John Beardsley agree to the same.
41. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 25.
1805, July 10, Origmal contract between Mr. Beardsley and the com-
mittee of vestry, agreeing to a division of the land.
42. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 26.
1805, July 24, original quit-claim deed from the Rev. John
Beardsley for twelve acres of land.
43. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 27.
1805, July 24, original release from the Rev. John Beardsley of all
his claims.
44. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 28,
1805, July 24, Map of the division of the land. Twelve acres to the
east belonging to the Church; fourteen acres to the west belonging
to Mr. Beardsley.
45. Parish Mss., Glebe papers, Section F, No. 29.
1805, July 24, receipted bill for the expenses of the settlement. David
Brooks charged $14.00 for "surveying, calculating, plotting, and
dividing the lot of land; 2 deeds & acknowledgements; 2 Gen'l Re-
leases & ackts."
Garritt B. Van Ness charged $2.50 "for the articles of agreement."
398
The Records of Christ Church
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC., IN THE CALL
TO THE RECTORSHIP EXTENDED TO THE
REV. HENRY VAN DYCK
1, Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 55.
1784; Mr. Henry Vandyck, a Candidate for Holy Orders, attended at
Poughkeepsie, where he preformed Divine Service in Christ Church on
the 20th and 24 of June 1784. The congregation desired their Vestry
to adopt such Measures in Conjunction with their bretheren of Trinity
Church at Fishkill as may be proper for Settelment of said Mr.
Vandyck.
Vestry conceiving Mr. Vandyck to be a Gentelman whose Qualifyca-
tions render him a fit person for the promotion of Religion among us,
and regretting the neglected Scituation of the Church, which, thro the
Distressing period this Country has Experienced of a Long & Bloody
war, has been Destitute of a Clergyman for almost eight years, —
These motives induced them to Exert themselves in setting on foot ^
subscription in favour of Mr. Vandyck — and Ordering their Secretary
to write the following letter to the Church at FishkUl :
Poughkeepsie 26 June 1784.
Gentelmen
We once more Address you as Bretheren, professors of the
Same Faith, that you will join with us in Support of that Gos-
pel whose doctrines are peace and Love.
This congregation have entered most heartily into the De-
sign of Setteling Mr. Vandyck among us. And tho we are but
few in Number and far from being Wealthy, yet, with the kind
assistance of our Neighbors of other Denominations who ad-
mire his preformances, have got Subscribed for his annual
Salary fifty pounds. Provided we give him a Call. This, we
suppose, with one half of Old Glebe, will be a Sufficient in-
ducement to him for the half of his services.
It now remains with your peopel to make the like exertions
to put your Church upon a Respectable footing. It's Exist-
ence seems to depend upon it.
We were much disconcerted at your Not attending here last
Thursday at the proposed Conference.
Whatever might have been your Reasons, If you hold the
Intrest of religeon dear, or Wish to be instrumental in
promoting it, fail not in Setting the matter on Foot.
We shall wait a fortnight For your final Determination.
Should it prove unfavorable, or no answer be returned, we
399
The Records ofChrist Church
Shall be under the Disagreeable alternative of keeping our
Church doors shut, or of Becoming connected with some other
Congregation.
If, therefore, a temporary Connection should be formed,
that may eventually be injurious to you, we call the World
to witness that Nothing but the most Absolute necessity Shall
ever induce us to adopt the Measure.
May heaven avert every Impediment to oiir Union and the
wide Extention of the Christian faith, is the fervent wish of the
Bretheren here. I am with due respect.
Yours
Signed by order of the Vestry
William Emott Secretary.
The foregoing letter remained unanswered, &, on Sunday the 1st of
August, Mr. Vandyck paid us another visit at our request. This day
he preformed Service in the Church. Major Daniel Ter Bos, Mr. John
Halstead, Mr. John Cook, & Mr. Jonas Halstead attended from Fish-
kills. We held a Consultation, the result of which was — First, an
invitation to Mr. Vandyck desireing his attendance at their Church on
Sunday next, which he accepted. Secondly, that a number of us
would come down likewise, at which time they would Collect the Sense
of their Congregation, whether they were in Ability and Disposition
to join us in Setteling Mr. Vandyck.
2. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 56.
1784, Aug. 3, Isaac Baldin, Richard Davis, Thomas Poole, William
Emott, and Isaac Baldin Jr., appointed a committee to go to Fishkill
the following Sunday, and arrange with the vestry there for the settle-
ment of Mr. VanDyck.
3. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 57.
1784, Aug. 14, The committee appointed to wait on Fishkill Vestry
Report to this Board that they entered upon a Conference with Major
Daniel Ter Bos, Mr. Jonas Halstead, Mr. John Halstead, Mr. John
Cook, & Mr. Pine at Fishkill on 8 Aug't 1784, when it was Mutually
agreed on behalf of the two Congregations that Mr. Henry Vandyck,
whenever he shall receive Episcopal Ordination, — (provided such
Ordination does take place within a Reasonable term of time), — be
received as Minister to the two Churches, to Preach at Poughkeepsie
Two thirds of the Year & Fishkill the other third.
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The Records of Christ Church
4. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 58.
1784, Oct. 4, The Committee of the 3d & 14th August again met the
Fishkill Gentelmen, Viz; Mr. Southerd, Mr. Pine, Major Ter Bos,
Mr. John Halstead, Mr. Cook, Mr. Jonas Halstead & Others. At the
house of Major Ter Bos; Mr. Vandyck also attended the meeting.
[The agreement of August 8th was ratified; and, further, it was agreed
that the congregation at Poughkeepsie should pay Mr. Vandyck £80
per annum, part in cash and the residue in firewood.] The Glebe, as
purchased by the two Congregations, with a gore of land since annexed
to it, one moiety thereof pertaining to this Corporation, they do also
give him the full enjoyment & Possession of for his own Emolument, so
long as he Shall Remain their Teacher. The above recited Gentelmen
of Fishkill did also engage the sum of £40 annually & their part of
the Glebe, for one third of his Yearly services.
5. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 63.
1785, March 29, [voted to pay the sexton for his services] on every
Sunday and holy day that Mr. Vandyck has preformed Divine Service
at this Church.
6. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 64.
1785, May 27, The first matter that was attended to at this meeting
was a Letter from Mr. Vandyck; the following is a true Copy:
Stratford, May 23d, 1785.
Gentelmen,
The Rev'd Mr. Leaming of Stratford informs me that it is
absolutely necessary I should have a title or Call to the
Churches of Poughkeepsie & Fishkill taken from your Records,
with the agreement made for Salary & the use of the Parsonage
property, authenticated under the Seal of the Corporation &
signed by the Secretary.
It will also be expedient that you Address the Clergy of this
State, directed to the Rev'd Mr. Leaming, president of that
Venerable board. Requesting their attention to me with a De-
sire of my being ordained to the Charge of the Church.
I beg these matters may be forwarded to me with all possible
dispatch, by the way of New York, covered to the care of Mr.
Prosper Wetmore, first clerk in the General Post Ofiice in the
City of New York, who will see the same forwarded to me in
Stratford immediately.
Bishop Seabury is safe arrived in Nova Scotia and may
Momently be expected here. Oiu* Ordinations will take place
401
The Records ofChrist Church
iimnediately on his arrival, for which we are making all possi-
ble preparations, after which we Shall repair to our Several
congregations as soon as we can.
I wish my papers may be forwarded from Poughkeepsie on
Saturday next at furthest.
With due Esteem I am Gentlemen your most humble Serv't
Henry Vandyck.
The Church wardens &
Vestry Christ Chiu-ch
Poughkeepsie.
It was the imanimous opinion of this Board that the requests in the
above letter be complyed with. Upon which the Secretary was
Ordered to make out a Call.
[Copy of the call appended; rehearses the terms of the agreement of
Oct. 4, 1784, adds proviso that ordination shall take place before
October 1785, and arranges that Mr. Van Dyck officiate at Pough-
keepsie every first and second Sundays, at Fishkill every third.]
A Letter was also Addressed to the Episcopal Clergy of Connecticut
desireing Mr. Henry Vandyck may receive Ordination for this Church.
7. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 68.
1785, June 29, Mr. Vandyck informed Vestry his ordination had not
yet taken place on account of the Bishop nonarrival. And, further,
that was he in Orders, his circumstances were such that it was out of
his power to remove among us with his family without our aid.
The Vestry being impatient of the many Delays of Mr. Vandyck as
to his removal here, with whom they have been agreeing for upward of
a year past; the more so as, in December last, he engaged to bring up
his family the latter end of April or beginning of May past, whether
in Orders or not;
Whereupon, Mr. Richard Davis, in order to enable Mr. Van-
dyck to remove immediately, generously offered to send Cap't Smith
with his Sloop to fetch his family & Effects, the payment of freight
to be def ered for one or two Years as might be most convenient for Mr.
Vandyck.
Upon this, another objection was raised by Mr. Vandyck, without
giving an Answer to Mr. Davis's proposal, whether he would or would
not accept the Offer. He told us frankly that we must not Expect
him till after his ordination.
This declaration Occasioned those uneasy Sensations in the minds of
the Vestry, that a State of suspense begets in Ingenious minds, when
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The Records of Christ Church
the object of their pursuit is Snatched from their grasp and placed in a
Scituation possibly never to be obtained.
Vestry, however, in this dilemma determined nothing should be
wanting on their part,
Mr. Vandyck, who had repeatedly Eequested to be paid for his past
Services Since last November (tho it was A departure from our
Agreement, which makes the Payment amiual, & of Course not collect-
able before), was asked for his account, which he rendered us.
Ways and means were taken mto Consideration, how to raise mon-
eys to discharge it without callmg upon the Subscribers at large, least
such a Measure might bring Both him and us into Contempt, to the
great detriment of the Church.
8. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 69
etary read
Poughkeepsie, June 30th, 1785
1785, July 4, the Secretary read the foUowing address handed him
from Mr. Vandyck:
Gentelmen,
I have duly considered your proposal of Yesterday in Conse-
quence of my acc't dehvered for past services in the church,
and cannot conceive how I can with propriety accept it, with-
out doing Manifest mjustice to the Fishkill congregation, who
have generously paid me, without any conditions, my full
dues accordmg to the proportion of Sundays they have Re-
ceived the advantage of since November last,&, for which,
they have my receipt in full for all past services in their Con-
gregation. I must therefore leave it to your own generosity
to act with me as you shall thmk proper on the Occasion.
I wish I could see my way clear at this Juncture to gratify
your request of an immediate removal with my family before
I am m Orders to the charge of the Church in this town.
A practice of this nature is altogether unusual in our Church,
of which, indeed, with the greatest propriety, you appear from
the letter of your call, to be fully sensible of, by fixing, as the
express condition of my being accepted mto the Rectorship of
this Church, my producing to your Corporation the necessary
Testunonials of my being Legally ordained by the Bishop,
and also that such Ordination must take place by the month
of October 1785, in order to be bmding for the payment of
Salary with the use of the land.
So, that clearly I cannot enjoy the one nor the Other with
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The Records ofChrist Church
propriety until my Ordination is confirmed to this Corpora-
tion under the usual signature of the Bishop.
Your attention to the true Interest of the Church, from
these necessary Precautions, as explained by you Yesterday,
is obvious and merits the Approbation of every good man who
wishes to see the Episcopal Church in this Country estabUshed
by a regular discipline, which in her present Scituation is
Absolutely expedient to prevent all Irregularities, and which
cannot take place unless her Clergy are thus supported by the
professors of the Church in this necessary' work.
Again, my immediate removal with my Family before Or-
dination, reduces me to the Scituation of being without the
direction & control of the Clergy in Cormecticut, who, from
their long knowledge of my Character, must be supposed to be
the only proper Judges of my Merits as a Candidate for the
Sacred ministry, &, of course, the only proper persons to whom
I can Apply for a recommendation to the Bishop for Holy Or-
ders.
Upon the whole, therefore, I must think that a conduct of
this kind in me, however pleasing otherways in prospect,
would be attended with Consequences that might be esteemed
prejudicial to the Established order of the Episcopal Church,
and also greatly embarass me with the Bishop, who most
assuredly will pay a particular attention to All irregularitys in
any of the Candidates, let their other Qualifications be ever so
great.
I have reduced these reflections to writing to prevent all
misunderstandings and unnecessary altercations in the
Episcopal Church here, which has hitherto produced too un-
charitable Jealousies and Uncandid animadvertions.
I am Gentelmen with due Esteem
Your most humble Serv't
Henry Vandyck.
To the Church wardens
&
Vestry men of Christ Church
Poughkeepsie.
Vestry, after duly attending the merits of the foregoing address, ordered
their sentiments to be Conmiitted to writing, of which what follows is a
faithfull Copy:
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The Records ofChrist Church
Poughkeepsie July 4 th, 1785.
Sir
The treasurer stands ready to pay what money we have
been able to collect for your past Services. Your acc't, de-
livered in, will be considered of at some future Vestry.
We are sorry that you cannot be prevailed upon to remove
your family here immediately. We are still of opinion that the
interest of the Church, as well as your own, would receive the
highest advantage by facilitating this measure.
And we regret to declare, tho in the language of friends,
that your Address does not carry Conviction with it as to the
inexpediency of your Settelment here before your being in
Orders.
We lament any Jealousys that may exist, which must cease
when the grounds are done away. Conscious of the Rectitude
of our Intentions, we profess our aim is how best to promote
your Intrest & that of the Church. And which we conceive
to be clearly proved by the great earnestness manifested of
your Inmiediate settelment here. As to any temporary visi-
tations, they must be Expensive to you without any Valuable
1 consequences to us. This being the case, we expect your next
appearance among us will be with your family, which will
effectually cure every Discordant suspicion and open a Scene
of lasting tranquility.
Upon the whole, these being our desires. We would recom-
mend that you reconsider matters here, and, after your return
home, to meet our wishes & afford us the Oppertunity of Con-
gratulating your arrival amongs us. May you & we have
abundant reason to thank God for the Event is the Devout
wish of your Sincere friends & Serv'ts
Robert Noxon Richard Davis
To Mr. Isaac Baldin Jr. William Emott
Henry Vandyck James Pritchard Ebenezer Badger
Henry Mott
N.B.
Vestry, upon mature deliberation, consent to your waiting
six weeks for Ordination. After which period they Expect
your immediate Removal.
The above paper being prepared, Mr. Vandyck was invited in & pre-
sented with it. His reply was that he would take it under Considera-
tion. That he should return home on the morrow, previous to which
405
The Records of Christ Church
he desired to be furnished with money. Upon which the board Or-
dered their treasurer to Advance him £14 . 10 . for past Services since
Nov'r ,wliich, added to £9.0.0 aheady paid, amounts to £23.10.0.
9. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 72.
1785, Aug. 16, the Secretary laid before Vestry the following Letter
from Mr. Vandyck:
New Hackensack, Aug'st 16th 1785.
Sir
The scituation of my own affairs & that of my family are
such as that I cannot comply with the Order of the Vestry of
Christ Church in Poughkeepsie, of the first of July last, for an
immediate removal of myself and family after the expiration of
six weeks from that date.
As I engaged with the Church at Fishkill to come up and
make them a Visit immediately upon my receiving Holy Or-
ders, I have accordingly been with them on Sunday last. But,
as in the letter to me of the first of July the Vestry of your
Church consider any visitations of this kind useless, I have, in
consequence, given no notice that I should be with you.
Notwithstanding, if they wish to have my Services on Sunday
next, and they wiU give the necessary notice thereof, with
Request to me on the Occasion, the Lord willing I shall be rea-
dy to serve them.
Should an event of this kind take place it may not be amiss
to inform all who have children to Baptize that, if their parents
will bring them into the Church, they will receive the Adminis-
tration of that holy Ordinance. The enclosed I beg you will
forward to Isaac Baldin Jun'r as soon as may be, provided the
Church think proper to have me come to Poughkeepsie on
Sunday next, as it concerns the Baptizing of Children in that
quarter also.
You will please to make my best wishes acceptable to the
Church for their present prosperity and felicity, and beheve
me to be — Sir your most humble servant —
Henry Vandyck.
Mr. William Emott
secretary to the Corporation
of Christ Church Poughkeepsie.
Vestry, after weighing the contents of the Above letter, ordered the
following one to be sent in answer to it :
406
The Records of Christ Church
Poughkeepsie 16 Aug'st 1785,
Rev'd Sir
Yours per Doct'r Ball has come to hand, which I have laid
before Vestry, who take the earliest Oppertunity to Con-
gratulate you upon your Ordination.
You take occasion to say, if they wish to have your services
on Sunday next &c. This, to us, seems to be speaking in a dis-
tant Language to a Congregation from whom you have ac-
cepted a Call, and who have long been anciously waiting for
your Arrival.
If you have not complyed with our Request in your Re-
moval, ought you not to call upon us to let us know your
reasons.? You must entertain a strange Idea of us to require
an invitation to preach in your own Church! The plain mat-
ter is, if you do not attend here on Sunday next we shall
Conceive ourselves neglected. And, further, we mean to
perform our Engagements and expect you will do the same.
The Congregation will be notifyed. and the Letter forwarded
to Mr. Baldin.
I am. Sir, with due respect, your humble Serv't
By order of Vestry
WilHam Emott.
Rev'd Henry Vandyck
New Hackensack.
10. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 73.
1785, Aug. 22, Vestry being mett desired Mr. Vandyck to walk into
the room and inform them what business he had to lay before them.
[Mr. Van Dyck presented his propositions in writing, in four articles
which, in brief, were as follows : —
Will vestry adjust accounts with the Fishkill congregation respecting
old and new glebe, by an arbitration;
Will vestry join with the Fishkill congregation in repairing the glebe-
house and fencing the old glebe, "so as to make the one tenantable,
and the other usefull."
Will vestry enter into such an engagement with Mr. VanDyck as
will secure the payment of his salary by their successors, as well as
themselves;
Will vestry give £20.0.0 to the support of the Bishop?
Vestry resolved, in respect to the first article concerning Fishkill,
that: — ] we always have and still stand ready to settell with them
407
The Records ofChrist Church
Amicably upon terms of Justice and Equity, whenever thej' make
the application.
[The subsequent articles vestry considered were "out of the question,"
for the following reasons : — A final contract was entered into with Mr.
Vandyck long since; said contract was approved by both parties to
it, and duly recorded (see No. 6, preceding); as proof of Mr. Van-
dyck's recognition of this contract, the treasurer produced his receipt,
dated Poughkeepsie Nov. 24, 1784, for "the sum of £4.0.0, on agree-
ment of the yearly salary commencing the 14th day of Nov. 1784."]
These schetches, and our former transactions as far back as June
20th, 1784, Plainly prove that the Obligations between us are mutual,
final and decisive, which, if either of the parties Seek to violate they
must incur the Guilt of Breach of Contract, honour and good faith,
thus religiously pledged.
Mr. Vandyck, notwithstanding all our Arguments, positively assert-
ed that he did not Consider Himself bound by any former agreements.
The Question was then put to him whether he meant a removal among
us.
His Answer was that he owed Canonical obedience to his Bishop,
whom he should Consult on the Occasion. Whereupon he withdrew.
This kind of Conduct was considered by the vestry as Equivocal.
Resolved, by this Corporation in Vestry assembled, that Mr. Vandyck's
appeal to the Bishop makes it necessary, for the vindication of the
congregation we Represent, to transmitt to the Venerable Bishop an
Account of our proceedings, to be by him committed to the worthy
Clergy over whom he presides (whose warm wishes we would study
to preserve), to Coimteract any Unfavorable representations which
Mr. Vandyck may make against us, in Justification of his reprehensible
Conduct toward us.
Vestry then unanimously agreed to meet at the house of Mr. Richard
Davis on Saturday next for the dispatch of this Business and ad-
journed.
11, Vestry Minvies, Vol. 1, p. 76.
1785, Aug. 24, Mr. Vandyck called upon Mr. Badger and Mr.
Pritchard. He desired them to inform the vestry that their non-com-
plyance with his proposals of the 22d Instant would not retard his
coming to Settel here. It was his wish that all misunderstanding be-
tween us might be buried in Oblivion. He proposed mutua 1 conces-
sions. And declared his intention of an immediate removal with his
family, as soon as he effected the Settelment of some important private
business between himself & Mr. Arden of New York.
408
The Records of Christ Church
The 27th Vestry met, and, upon the above report laid aside their
design of addressing the Bishop.
They can't make concessions, being conscientiously of opinion they
have not Erred.
If Mr. Vandyck removes hither, he will be cordially received agree-
able to the letter of the Call.
12. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 77.
The following letter was Received from Mr. Vandyck.
[Copy entered in Vestry Minutes. Original letter on file, Parish Mss.,
Van Dyck papers, No. 4.]
New Hackensack
Sept'r 28th, 1785.
Gentlemen
I have the pleasure to inform you that on Friday the
16th Instant I was admitted into Priests' Orders over the
Churches of Fishkill & Poughkeepsie. The Titles from both
Churches were presented to Bishop Seabury and he was
pleased to accept of them and they are now in his Possession.
I lament the delicacy of my situation with regard to the
Trespass Act in your State, which I am afraid will prevent my
comeing to my Pastoral charge as early as I could wish.
I am at present only a bird of passage here, and must return
tomorrow from hence by 12 o'clock at noon. I therefore re-
quest to see your Vestry, or a committee from that Body,
before my return to Connecticut, at the house of Mr. John
Cooke, as it is not judged prudent for me to go to Poughkeep-
sie. The necessity of this interview you must be convinced
of and I shall expect to see you by nine o'clock tomorrow
morning at farthest. I should be glad of your answer by the
return of the bearer.
I am Gentlemen
The Vestry-men of Your most hum'l Servt
Poughkeepsie Church. Henry Vandyck.
Mr. James Pritchard waited on Mr. Vandyck by the appointment of
Vestry at Mr. Cooke's.
13. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 77.
A letter from Mr. Vandyck dated Fishkill 31 Octr 1785.
[Copy entered in Vestry Minutes. Original letter on file, Parish Mss.,
Van Dyck papers. No. 5.]
409
The Records of Christ Church
Fishkill October 31st 1785
Gentlemen
I am exceedingly sorry that the weather was such yesterday
that you could not attend Church here, as from the assuran-
ces of Major Bush I had reason to expect you.
The unhappy situation I am in, with respect to Mr. Arden's
demand, you are not unacquainted with, as you have seen Mr.
Verplanck's letter to me on the subject.
As both Congregations look upon it as only personal, and
conceive their circumstances to be such as that they cannot,
by any means, afford me the least aid in order to enable me to
come among them, I cannot but lament the unfavorable pros-
pect of my setling with you.
An attempt however is concluded to be made with Mr.
Arden once more, in hopes that, from the improbability of his
obtaining any advantage, he may be induced to accept of more
moderate terms: but I confess my hopes are small, as, from
Mr. Verplanck's letter he seems determined.
Should this unfortunately be the case it will be necessary for
you to make choice of some other Gentleman to officiate in
your Churches, as it will be altogether impossible for me to
comply with your desires.
I presume you are not unacquainted with the conditions
upon which Mr. John Le Roy took the Glebe from me, as it
was reduced to writing, and, if I mistake not, lodged even-
tually in the hands of Mr. Emott.
You will therefore take charge of the neat produce of the
farm, according to that stipulation, to your own advantage as
well as for the Fishkill Church; and should you think proper
to require anything further from me, in compensation for the
vacancy of the House during the Summer season, I will en-
deavor, upon the first notice to make you recompence as soon
as I shall be able.
These Observations I have made, should I not be able to
come to you, which nothing would have prevented but this
rigid and unjust demand.
Commending you & yours with All the Church to God's
Love and Grace
lam
Gentlemen
Your most hum'I Servt
Henry Vandyck."
410
The Records oj Christ Church
14. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 78.
Another letter from Rev'd Henry Vandyck bearing date 16 Nov'r
1785 at Stratford.
[Copy entered in Vestry Minutes. Original letter on file, Parish
Mss., Van Dyek papers. No. 6.]
Stratford Nov'r 16th 1785.
Grentlemen
Immediately on my return from Fishkill I wrote Mr. Joseph
Stringham, one of the gentlemen employed to negotiate with
Mr. Axden, and informed him of the instructions given to Mr.
Mesier.
I however made one offer more, which was a complyance
of his proposal by Mr. Verplanck of £125 — as to the sum in the
following manner, viz. £50 in one year, £50 in two years, and
the £25 in the third year, and to find him security for the per-
formance, which I really thought he would have accepted.
To my great surprise however, I received for answer that he
insisted on £25 being paid down, £50 the first day of April
next, and £50 in one year from that period with security for
the payment.
This it was out of my power to comply with, as it would be
impossible for me to raise the £75 at the two periods proposed.
My feelings are not to be expressed. Resignation is my
duty; for doubtless there is wisdom in the Permission — God
knows what is best both for you and me — let us not faint under
his rebuke.
It will now be necessary for you to look out for a Pastor who
may supply your Church, as I cannot think of going to you
with a Family of small Children under this heavy load of Debt.
I pray my God to give you a right understanding in all
things. To His Grace I commend you, which will be suflScient
for you if you rightly improve it. My best love and Blessing
ever attend you.
Farewell
Henry Vandyck.
16. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 81.
Rev'd Henry Vandyck's Letter dated at Bulls works 9 Febr 1786.
Gentlemen
I am now come on thus far with a Friend of mine, Mr.
Andrew Hurd, who passes through your town.
411
The Records oj Chr i si Church
By him, I wish to communicate to you that I have been in
New York, since I was with you last, m order to negotiate
with Mr. Arden, and I am sorry to tell you that my journey
was ineffectual as to its intentions with him.
The result however of the whole proceedings I have with me,
that passed between us, and I wish to lay them before you. I
must therefore beg you will appoint a Committee of one or more
from yoiu- body to meet me at the house of the Widow Beach,
at this place, on Monday next, or Tuesday evening at furth-
est, that we may finally fix whether I am to be with you or not.
It is a matter of consequence with me that this affair should
be settled between us without any longer delays. If, there-
fore, I should hear nothing from you by the time I have
fixed, I shall immediately return home and look upon myself
at liberty to engage with any other Congregation that shall
offer.
If you have been favored with any informations from Mr.
Arden since I left New York, by Mr. Benson or any other per-
son, I request you will bring it with you.
I could wish to be with you at this time in person, but my
confidence in Mr. Arden's integrity is so small that I cannot
think of adventuring into your State as yet; for which reason
I have appointed a meeting at this place, as convenient to you
as possible ,being only 28 miles from you by the way of Coll
VanderBurgh's.
I desire you will, if possible, inform the Fishkill congregation
of this interview; although I am fully of opinion that a Com-
mittee from you will answer every purpose.
With due regard I am, gentlemen.
Your humble Servant
Henry Vandyck.
The Church Wardens &c
Poughkeepsie Church.
The above letter came to hand Satiu-day the 11 Febr 1786, and was
communicated by Mr. Emott to Richard Davis Senr, Richard Davis
Jimr, Melancthon L. Woolsey, James Pritchard, Robert Noxon,
Henry Mott and Ebenezer Badger, members of Vestry.
They all declined attending the interview Proposed by Mr. Vandyck,
the most distant prospect of his Becoming our Clergyman being
Vanished.
412
The Records ojChrist Church
16. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 82.
1786, Mch. 16, Ordered, that Richard Davis, Daniel Lefferts, & Isaac
Baldin jimr be a Committee to rent the parsonage for ensuing year.
And likewise to dispose of the hay and grain which were produced on
the Glebe last year intended for Rev'd Henry Vandyck. Resolved,
that the Rev'd Henry Vandyck's not Complying with the Conditions
of the Call renders it Void.
17. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 84.
1786, April 18, Ordered, that James Pritchard be furnished with
acc'ts of . . . such persons who are in arear for one third of a year's
Salary towards Mr. Vandyck; which he is to Collect.
18. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 87.
1786, Oct'r, The Rev'd George Wright came, recommended to us by
sundrie Gentelmen in New York, and performed Divine service here
much to the Satisfaction of our Congregation.
Whereupon the Vestry ordered their Secretary to write to the church of
Fishkill desireing their Concurrence in the settelment of Mr. Wright
as Clergyman of the United Episcopal chiu-ches of Poughkeepsie and
Fishkill.
19. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 87.
1786, Nov. 21, A special meeting of vestry.
Attended also Mr. John Cooke and Doct'r Cooper, being a Committee
appointed by the Trustees of Trinity Church at Fishkill.
They informed us that our letter had been received by their church,
who had Ordered them to signify to us that they wish to Settel Mr,
Vandyck as our Minister, in preference to Mr. Wright. They also laid
before Vestry letters from Mr. Vandyck, in which he offers to come to
the Churches, and that all former misunderstandings may be buried in
Oblivion on all hands.
The question was then asked Mr. Cooke, what would be the conse-
quence of a refusal to settel Mr. Vandyck on our parts.
He replyed. That their church were resolved to call Mr. Vandyck, and
that it was their sincere wish that we would join with them, in prefer-
ence to any other congregation; but, should we decline, they meant
to embrace a proposal held out to them by the Episcopal church a*
Peekskill, who also wished to settel Mr. Vandyck. Upon motion
made, it was resolved to determine the matter by ballot. The ballot's
being taken and counted the votes were as follows
Ayes-six
Noes — two
413
The Records of Christ Church
The question being thus determined in the aflM-mative that the Rev'd
Vandyek be received as Minister of the united Episcopal churches, a
letter was then wrote to convey him the information, in the words
following:
Rev'd Sir
We hereby inform you that we have agreed to receive you
for our minister according to our former agreements with you
— (Except this, — that you are to preform your labours in the
Ministry equal to both churches, instead of Preforming two
thirds in Poughkeepsie and one at Fishkill; that you are to
have the Old glebe, with the gore which lies East of the glebe;
that the twenty-three acres lying west, & adjoining the glebe,
you are not to have the use of as not belonting to the glebe) —
Under these circimastances we wish to have you, and shall most
cordially receive you, and do Sincerely hope they wiU be
agreeable to you.
We expect that whenever you move with your family here,
that your Salary will commence.
That we agree to the terms that Mr. Benson has made with
Mr. Arden.
With respect to what the legislature may do respecting
the Repealing the Trespass law, we cannot take upon our-
selves to determine. That matter we must leave to yourself.
Only we wish to hear from you Concerning it & when you
wiU be ready to come here.
We remain respectfully yours
John Cooke
Poughkeepsie 21 Nov'r, 1786 Jeremiah Cooper
John Davis
The Rev'd Henry Vandyek Robert Noxon
Old Milford. Ebenezer Badger
Henry Mott
Daniel Smith
James Pritchard
Isaac Balding jun'r.
20. Vestry Minutes, VoL 1, p. 89.
The following Letter came to hand the latter part of Jan'r.
[Editor's note: Copy entered in Vestry Minutes. Original letter on
file, Parish Mss., Van Dyck papers, No. 7. Addressed on the outside
to "Mr. John Davis, Merch't, Poughkeepsie."]
414
The Records of C hr i s t Church
Milford January 22d 1787
Gentlemen
Your esteemed favor of the 21st of November I received the
15th of December; since which, I have been so unwell, as not
to be able to give you an answer before this; but thro' Gods
goodness I hope soon to obtain a permanent state of health.
I receive your invitation to the cure of your Churches with
a sincerity equal to your own: and I do most earnestly suppli-
cate Him, from whom cometh every good and perfect Gift,
that we may meet in His own good time in Love and peace.
I observe, although I am to be considered upon the former
agreement, still there is a meterial difference in the location
of the Land; I however trust you will do what is right, as
soon as I can remove with my family among you; which will
take place as early as possible in the Spring,
In full confidence of this, I shall rest contented until that
long wished for event. If my Health permits, the Lord will-
ing, I fully intend to be with you before Easter so as to set
things in order before my arrival.
I have wrote Bishop Seabury on the subject, and also for
his approbation of the measure; as soon as I receive his answer
I shall immediately communicate the same to you.
As to Arden I can say but little as yet, although I am in
continual expectation of receivmg a new proposal from him,
upon paying the whole in cash down. A friend of mine in NYork
thinks for this, he may be reduced to £60,— which I will do.
At any rate his affair will be no further prevention of my com-
ing among you, as he cannot recede from his own offer through
Mr. Benson.
Begging Gods Blessing may attend you & yours, together
with all the Bretheren in both congregations, I am,
Gent'n your Servant
in Christ Jesus,
Henry Vandyck,
To the
Church wardens & Vestry
of Christ & Trinity Churches, Poughkeepsie & Fishkill.
21. Parish Mss., Van Dyck papers. No. 8.
Original letter from Henry Van Dyck.
Addressed to "John Cooke Esquire, Fishkill."
415
The Records oj Christ Church
Milford February 15th, 1787.
My dear Sir,
I hope you all arrived safe home without any accident, &
that good Mrs. Cooke received no injury in her health from
her winter excursion, & found all well home.
I thank God, my jaundice is now going off fast; but leaves
me very weak and low; neverthe less (the Lord willing) I hope
to see you all before Easter Sunday, as I begin to gain my
health.
I must hope also, that my Letters arrived at Poughkeepsie
in season.
Permit me to ask your kind attention to the Glebe House
& Land, in consulting with the Vestry of both congregations
about the repairs of the House, so as that I may enter with
my Family in some kind of decency; the propriety of which I
must leave with you and them, together with such addition
of Land as may enable me to live.
I presume the House & Land will be free the first of April;
so that there will be some little time left to admit of repairing
and cleaning the House, & putting other, like matters, about
the Garden, in such state as not to be very disadvantageous
for gardening.
I fear I shall be troublesome to you; but I know you will
forgive me upon this occasion.
I beg to be remembered in Love, in which Mrs. Vandyck
joins me, by you all; & that you will communicate our warm-
est affections to both congregations, & Mr. Verplanck in par-
ticular with the other Gentlemen in both Vestrys.
Tell Dr. Ball he must forgive me not writing, as I intend he
shall hear me, & not from me.
I am with real affection & esteem
D'Sr. yr. most huml Servt.
Henry Vandyck.
21. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 90.
1787, April 10, [The secretary was ordered] to write immediately to
the Vestry of Fishkill [asking] their concurrence in letting Rev'd
Henry Vandyck have, in addition to the Old Glebe (for one year)
a Certain piece of Land supposed to contain about 50 acres, now in our
possession. And, also, their approbation concerning the necessary
repairs of Parsonage for reception of Mr. Vandyck, who intends
shortly to remove here.
416
The Recor d s of C hr i s t Church
22. Vestry Minutes, Vol. 1, p. 91.
1787, June 12, Ordered by Vestry that a Record be made in their
Journals of the time when Rev'd Henry Vandyck became Rector of
this Church, which took place 27 May 1787, being Whitsunday.
417
INDEX
INDEX TO SUBJECTS
Academy, Dutchess County, 118,
143, 141., 275; Poughkeepsie Fe-
male, 186.
Altar, Communion Table, the first,
47, 48, 148; the second, 148; the
third, 161; the fourth, 177, 222-
224, 229; the fifth, 229, 251, 252,
329.
Altar-rail, see Rail.
Amenia Union, St. Thomas's
Church, 217, 289.
Annandale, St. Stephen's College,
217.
Anniversaries: centennial, 213; one
hundred twenty-fifth, 257; Dr.
Reed's one hundredth, 169, 260,
261; Mr. Cornwell's fiftieth,
206, 207; Dr. Cummins's tenth,
256, 297.
Arbitration with Trinity Church,
Fishkill, 69-74.
Archdeaconry of Dutchess, 294.
Assistant Ministers, 166, 298.
Beardsley, the Rev. John: settle-
ment with, 123-125; correspon-
dence with, 362.
Beekman, first Church at, 17, 19, 20,
23, 31-33; St. Ann's, 98; St.
Mary's, 98, 289.
Bell, the first church, 92, 93, 195;
the second and third, 195; for the
Poughkeepsie Court House, 93.
Bible for reading-desk, the first, 48,
374; the second, 177; the third
and fourth, 331.
Bibliography of parish records, 319.
Biographies of clergy, 263-300.
Bishops, consecration of first Amer-
ican, 67, 68, 76, 79, 80.
Brasses: Altar-cross, 223, 230; Al-
tar-desk, 223, 331; alms-basin,
223, 331; baptismal ewer, 223,
331; flower-vases, 223, 330; pro-
cessional cross, 296, 331.
Broad Churchmanship, 218-222.
Buckingham, gifts by Mrs. Charles
H., 260, 335.
By-laws of vestry, 96.
Cemetery, plots in Rural, 247, 248.
Chair, the Bishop's, 329.
Chairs in chancel, 47, 196.
Chancel altered, 195-197, 223; chan-
cel-rail, see Rail.
Chandeliers, 177.
Chanting, 199, 200.
Charter to Christ Church, 35-38.
Choir, volunteer, 149, 200; quartet,
200, 314; vested, 250, 314; festi-
val, 258.
Choir-stalls, 229, 329.
Christmas decorations, 97, 150, 192,
201, 225; Christmas Eve services,
150, 192, 200; Christmas trees,
201.
Church buildings: the first; sub-
scriptions for, 41-45, 47; erection
of 33, 49; consecration of, 45, 46;
furnishings of, 47, 48, 147, 148;
closed during Revolution, 49;
pews built, 68. 69; steeple, 94, 95;
gallery, 125, 126; repaired, 158;
description of, 146-148, 150; torn
down, 160; the second; subscrip-
tion for, 159, 160; erection of.
158, 160; consecration of, 160,
161; interior of, 161; chancel al-
tered, 195-197, 223; sold, 247;
the third; subscription for, 246;
erection of, 248; corner-stone, 248;
consecration of, 249; decoration
of, 229; repaired, 260.
Church in the Confederacy, 206,
291.
Church-yard, 97, 147, 154, 247.
Clerks, Choristers, Choirmasters.
53, 199, 200, 250, 257, 310-314.
Clergy affiliated with Christ Church
before ordination, 316-319.
Cloister, 260.
College Hill School, 192.
Common, the, 33, 34, 36-40, 146,
154.
Communicants, number of, 83, 84,
113, 117, 140,258,324.
Communion, private. 111; weekly
celebration of, 199; Table, see
Altar.
421
Index to Subjects
Con6rmation, 82, 117, 323, 324.
Consecration of first American Bis-
hops, 67, 68, 76, 79, 80.
Convention, see Diocesan and Gen-
eral.
Convocation of Dutchess, 216.
Court House, Poughkeepsie, 26, 27,
93
Credence-table. 197, 231, 329.
Curates, 298, 299.
Diocesan Conventions: the first, 74,
75; delegates to, 307; held in
Christ Church, 116, 117.
Dove, the, 177-179. 189.
Ecclesiastical furnishings, 47, 48,
126, 147, 148, 177 189, 195, 197,
222-226, 229, 251, 329.
Endowment, need for, 262; rules
for, 337.
English burying-ground, 188, 190,
214, 215, 245, 248; purchase of,
154-157; subscription for, 156,
157; interments discontinued,
157, 248.
English school, 30, 31.
Evolution, doctrine of, 219, 220.
Fishkill Village, 25; see, also.
Trinity Church.
Flag-raising, 211, 212; flag and
staff, gift of, 337.
Flowers in chancel, 187, 213, 225,
227.
Font,"47, 177, 227, 329.
Funeral of Dr. Reed, 168, 169, 188
of Dr. Ziegenfuss, 252, 253, 295.
General Conventions: the first, 75
delegates to, 315.
Gifts and Memorials, 47, 48, 177
181, 182, 196, 223, 226, 229, 231
237, 250, 254, 258-260, 296, 324-
337.
Glebe, subscription for, 14; choice
of location of, 22-24; purchase of,
25, 27, 28; tenants of 61, 62;
trespassers on, 62, 63, 91, 92;
mortgage on, 85-88; sale of, 88,
89.
Glebe-house, erection of, 29-30;
occupants of, 59, 60, 85, 86, 88,
89; sale of, 89.
Gown, the academic, 162, 197.
Guilds and societies: Boys' League,
234; Brotherhood of St. Andrew,
232; Chancel Committee, 225;
Cadet Corps, 234; Christ Church
Guild, 227; Daughters of the
King, 234; Girls' Friendly So-
ciety, 233; Girls' Guild, 233;
King's Daughters. 231; Knights
of Temperance, 231; Ladies' Aid
Society, 228; Men's League, 241;
Mothers' Meetings, 235; Paroch-
ial Visiting Committee, 224; Sew-
ing School, 240; St. Margaret's
Guild, 235; Woman's Auxiliary,
227; Women's Guild, 236; Young
People's Association, 240; Young
Women's League, 241.
Hangings for Altar, desk and pulpit,
47, 126, 201, 222, 225-227, 229.
High Churchmanship, 138, 139, 172-
174.
Higher Criticism, 219, 220.
Holy Comforter, Church of the, 186,
186, 217.
Hospital, St. Barnabas's, 187.
House on Market street purchased,
214
Hyde Park, St. James's Church, 164.
Incorporation of the Church of the
Holy Comforter, Poughkeepsie.
186, 217; of the Church of the
Messiah, Rhinebeck, 217; of the
Church of the Regeneration, Pine
Plains, 217: of Christ Church,
Poughkeepsie, 35; of Christ
Church, Red Hook Village, 217;
of Grace Church, Millbrook, 217;
of St. Ann's, Beekman, 98; of St.
Anna's, Fishkill Landing (now
St. Luke's, Matteawan), 164; of
St. James's, Hyde Park, 164; of
St. Paul's, Tivoli, 164; of St,
Paul's, Poughkeepsie, 165; of St.
Paul's, Pleasant Valley, 165; of
St. Peter's, Lithgow, 111; of St.
Peter's, Pawlingsville, 165; of St.
Stephen's College, Annandale.
217; of St. Thomas's Church,
Amenia Union, 217; of Trinity
Church, Fishkill Village, 74; of
Zion Church, Wappingers Falls,
164.
Intoning, 250.
Jack, the negro, 60, 61.
Lectern, 227, 329.
Library, parish, 175, 176.
422
Index to Subjects
Litany-desk, the 6rst, 223; the
second, 329, 335.
Lithgow, 111. 288; St. Peter's
Church of. 111, 289.
Lot, the twenty-three acre, 28, 39,
123-125.
Low Churchmanship, 137, 172, 223,
224.
Manchester Mission, 216, 217.
Matteawan, St. Luke's Church, 164.
Memorials, see Gifts.
Millbrook, Grace Church, 217.
Ministers in Charge, 254, 299, 300.
Ministry Act of 1693, 6.
Mission in Dutchess County or-
ganized. 18-20.
Mission at Spuyken Kill, 233.
Missionaries, itinerant diocesan, 82,
83, 106, 279.
Missionary to Dutchess County ap-
pointed, 2.
Missions, foreign, 137, 174, 179;
domestic, 174, 179.
Mortgage, on the glebe, 85-88; on
South Hamilton street rectory,
214, 215; on present church
property, 244, 245.
Music, development of, 1810-1820,
149; 1860-1870, 199-204; 1888,
250; 1900-1910, 257. (See, also.
Organ, Organist, Choir, Clerks,
Singing School, Christmas Eve
services.)
Name of Corporation of Christ
Church, 36, 96.
Negro, Jack the, 60, 61.
Nine Partners Church, 15, 19, 31-33,
111.
Organ, the first, 126-128, 202; the
second, third and fourth, 202;
the fifth, 251.
Organist, 128, 149, 204, 257, 315.
Organization of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United
States, 74-76, 78-80.
Organization of S. P. G. Mission in
Dutchess County, 18-20.
Organized parish work, 224-243.
Parish House, 181. 182, 250.
Parish Library, 175, 176.
Parish register, 113, 140.
Parish School, 180-182.
Parsonage, purchase of, 100, 103-
105; sale of, 214. (See, also.
glebe-house and rectory.)
Patent, Sanders and Harmense. 33,
34, 345, 350. 359.
Pawlingsville, St. Peter's Church.
165.
Personnel of the congregation, 84,
98-102,113-116,130.131 140-144.
203, 206, 210.
Pewholders in the first church, 66,
101, 130, 143; in the second, 208-
210.
Pine Plains, Church of the Regen*
eration, 217.
Plate, Church, 47, 148, 189, 329.
Pleasant Valley, St. Paul's Church,
165,
Pound, the village, 62.
Protestant Episcopal Church, or-
ganization of, 74-76, 78-80.
Pulpit, the first, 47, 126, 147; the
second, 161, 189, 195; the third,
195; the fourth, 329.
Rail, Altar-, chancel-, 147, 149
209, 223, 329.
Reading-desk, 47, 126, 148, 161
162, 189, 196, 222, 223. (See,
also, lectern.)
Rectory on South Hamilton street,
built, 214; occupants of, 216;
sold, 215.
Rectory, Albert Tower, Jr., Memo-
rial, 259.
Rectory, see, also, glebe-house and
parsonage.
Red Hook Church, in 1788, 97;
Christ Church, 217.
Register, parish, 113, 140, 321,
Reminiscences, by Mr. Henry J.
Ruggles, 145-150; bv Miss Eliza-
beth Shepherd, 188-192.
Reports to the Diocese, 83, 117, 140.
Reredos, 223. 252.
Ratable. 223, 225.
Riverview Military Academy, 192.
Rood-screen, 229. 329.
Sale of lots from English burying-
ground, 214, 215.
Sanders and Harmense Patent, 33,
34, 349. 350. 359.
Scarf, the academic, 198.
School, the English, 30, 31; the
Parish, 180-182, 184; the singing,
149, 200, 312, 313.
4^3
Index to Subjects
Screen in chancel*, 1834-1854, 161,
162, 195; 1888-1910, 229, 335.
Seal of Corporation, the first, 95;
t' e second, 95, 178, 179.
Secretaries of vestry, 309.
Sedilia, 329.
Seminary. Cottage Hill, 187, 201,
202.
Sermon, Dr. Reed's, 166-168, 284;
Dr. Ziegenfuss's, 249; Bishop
Potter's, 253.
Services: Mr. Beardsley's .first as
Re-ctor, 20; Mr. Beardsley's first
as Rector in Poughkeepsie, 20;
suspended, 49; under Mr. Chase,
112, 113; under Dr. Cady, 199;
under Dr. Cummins, 256.
Services, special: consecration of
first church, 45, 46; consecration
of second church, 160, 161; cor-
ner-stone of third church, 248;
consecration of third church, 249;
flag-raising, 211-212; centennial,
213; one hundred twenty-fifth
anniversary, 257; Christmas Eve,
150, 192, 200; memorial, for La
Fayette, 162; memorial for Pres-
ident Harrison, 163; memorial for
President Lincoln, 213; for men,
241; Harvest Home, Manger,
Palm, Ascension, Out-of-door,
Grand Army, Hudson-Fulton,
and memorial for President Gar-
field, 257.
Sextons, 97, 210, 211, 314.
Silver, Communion, see Plate.
Social conditions, 183, 254-256.
Spuyken Kill Mission. 233.
Stalls, choir, 229, 329.
Steeple of first church, 94, 95, 147.
Stoles, 198, 199, 222.
St. Barnabas's Hospital, 187.
St. Paul's Church, Poughkeepsie,
165.
Subscriptions: for glebe, 14; for
first church, 41-45, 47; for Mr.
Beardsley's salary, 18, 19, 53;
for Mr. Van Dyck's salary, 65, 66;
for building pews, 68, 69; for bell,
92, 93; for steeple, 94, 95; for or-
gan, 127, 128, 203, 251; for bury-
ing-ground, 156, 157; for second
church, 159, 160; for parish li-
brary, 176; for Sunday School
room, 193; for third church, 246.
Sunday School, founded, 152; or-
ganized, 152, 153; superinten-
dents of, 153, 194; reminiscences
of, 188-193; in 1910, 194, 259.
Surplices, 48, 162, 197. 198. 229.
368. 374.
Table, Communion, see Altar.
Tablets, memorial, 254, 331.
Tivoli, St. Paul's Church, 163. 164.
Tories of the congregation, 55-58.
Tower of third church, 250.
Treasurers, 310.
Trinity Church, Fishkill Village,
building erected, 40; building
used as hospital, 59; parish in-
corporated, 74; arbitration with,
69-74; settlement with, 89, 90;
separation from, 136, 163; cor-
respondence with, 340.
Trinity Church, New York City,
petitions to, 86-88, 90, 91, 100.
128, 129; grants from, 100, 103,
130, 135.
Van Dyck, correspondence with the
Rev. Henry, 399.
Vestments, 48, 162, 197, 198, 222,
229, 368, 374.
Vestry during Revolutionary War,
55, 58.
Vestrymen 1773-1910, 304.
Visits of S. P. G. Missionary to
Dutchess County, 1-11.
Wappingers Falls, Zion Church, 164.
Wardens 1773-1910, 304.
Willoughby monument, 157, 158.
Windows of third church, 324.
424
INDEX TO PERSONS
Abel, Miss Adele A., Miss J. Grace,
Mrs. Simon C. 329; Simon C,
208.
Adams, John, 80.
Addison, John, 101.
Adriance, John P., 246.
Akin, John, 130.
Albertson, Otto, 242.
Alexander, Miss Julia, 229.
Alger, William B., 353, 357.
Allen, Joseph E., 203, 208, 306;
Miss Mary, 208, 223-225, 229,
331.
Ailing, Mrs., 228, 229.
Ames, Henry, 101.
Andrews, the Rev. Samuel, 13, 267.
Andrus, Miss Helen J., 203, 315.
Annin, James, 70, 347, 351.
Anthes, Miss Alice P., 246.
Anthon, the Rev. Henry, 98.
Appleton, Christopher, 176, 306,
307.
Armstrong, Abner, 14.
Arnold, E. C, 176; the Rev.
Frederick S., 299.
Ashford, Nathaniel, 69.
(Astick ?), William, 42.
Atkins, Annie, 331.
Auchmuty, the Rev. Samuel, 17, 20.
Babbitt, the Rev. Dean Richmond,
317.
Babcock, the Rev. Dr. Charles H.,
300; Ebenezer, 310, 312.
Badger, Clarissa, 122; Ebenezer,
55, 66, 69, 71, 82, 84, 88, 90, 93,
94, 99, 101, 113, 122, 127, 130,
169, 303, 304, 307, 309, 347, 351-
353, 356, 357, 361, 369, 374, 377,
380, 386, 396, 398, 405, 408, 412,
414.
Bahret, Miss Ruth A., 237, 239, 241.
Bailey, James, 223, 331; John, 4, 6,
94; Nathan, 84; Theodorus, 69,
93, 94, 101, 357, 368; William,
101.
Baird, George K., 242.
Baker (Cat.?), 169; Miss Mary,
229, 233; Mrs. O. D. M., 229;
Sarah, 169; Stephen, 208; Susan,
169; Valentine, 66, 69, 93, 100,
101, 130, 169; Mrs. Valentine, 84.
Baldin, Balding, Baldwin, Char-
lotte, 169; Ebenezer, 113, 116,
130, 305, 309, 386; Isaac, 14, 35,
41, 53, 55, 66, 69, 84, 93, 94, 101,
303, 357, 365, 393, 400; Isaac,
Sr., 101, 304; Isaac, Jr., 36, 41,
53, 55, 66, 69, 71, 93, 101, 303,
304, 353, 400, 405-407, 413, 414;
Isaac I., 156, 160, 169. 193, 208,
303, 306, 307; Mrs. I. I., 153;
Richard S., 169; William, 66, 69,
84, 101; William. Jr., 93.
Ball, Albert, 208; Fenno D., 246;
George, 42; Mrs. Susan M., 203,
229, 246.
Banks, Mrs. James Lenox, 246.
Banyar, Goldsboro, 42.
Barber, William, 93, 94, 101; Mrs.
William (Ann Crooke), 84, 130.
Bard, John, 41, 53, 304; John, Jr.,
41,53; Samuel, 42; William, ISO,
164, 169, 305.
Barnard, Frederick, 142, 156, 160,
169; the Hon. Joseph F., 203, 208;
Miss Margaret, 208.
Barnes, Barns, John, 41, 53, 66;
William, 41, 69.
Barnum, Charles P., 169.
Barrett, Caroline F., 176; Miss
Caroline, 246; Miss Louise, 246;
Thomas, 169; Mrs. Thomas, 170;
Miss, 208.
Barroll, Mrs. Henry, 326.
Bartlett, Mrs. Stanley, 227; Wil-
liam, 246.
Baumbusch, Carrie, 331; Michael
T., 232, 242, 246; Raymond, 242.
Bayer, Harry, 242; Miss Hilda, 241 ;
John T., 242; John, 251.
Bayeux, Beyeaux, Beyux, Henry,
84; Thomas, 69, 84.
Bayley, Dr. Guy Carleton, 208,
325; Richard, 193, 306.
Beach, the Rev. Abraham, 75.
Beagle, Elisha, 53.
Beardsley, Bartholomew Crannell,
124, 125, 270, 374, 375, 377. 380.
382, 394; the Rev. John, 13, 14,
425
Index to Persons
16-20, 22-29, 32, 34-40, 42, 45, 48,
50-53, 58, 59, 62, 64, 70-73, 85,
92, 98,99, 104, 111, 123-125,213,
267-269, 321, 341-343, 346, 348-
350, 352, 359, 362-384, 367, 369-
375, 377, 379-398; Mrs. John, 48;
Mrs. John (Sylvia Punderson),
269; Mrs. John (Gertrude Cran-
nein, 50, 269; Mrs. John (Anna),
269; Mrs. John (Mary), 209;
John Davis, 269.
Bech, Edward, 208; Mrs. Edward,
203.
Beck with, John, 94; Mrs., 84.
Bedel, John, 266.
Bedle, Elisha, 66.
Beekman, Gerard William, 42;
Henry, 42.
Belden, William T., 153, 156, 160,
170, 306, 307.
Bend, Grove, 42.
Benjamin, Elijah Park, 176, 306,
307; Mrs. Elijah Park (Margaret
Crooke), 177; Jedediah, 170.
Benson, Egbert, 63, 69, 77, 92, 93,
96, 101, 271, 360, 412, 414, 415;
Henry, 101.
Bergh, Adam, 41.
Betts, Mrs. William, 228, 229.
Billings, Andrew, 50, 52, 94, 99, 101,
113, 122, 130; Mrs. Andrew
(Cornelia Livingston), 84, 99,
170.
Billman, Ralph, 242.
Blakesley, Blakeslee, Amaziah, 130,
156, 170, 306, 314.
Blanchard, James, 203, 208.
Bleecker, John, 53.
Blodgett, William, 127, 128, 315.
Bloom, George, 170.
Bloomer, Nettie, 331.
Boardman, Andrew, 208.
Bock, Harry S., 242, 257, 315;
Mrs. Harry S. (Julia Sague), 233,
238, 239, 331.
Bockee, Abraham, 130; Dr. Jacob,
176.
Bogardus, Jacob, 93; William W.,
94, 130, 170.
Bonesteel. Virgil D., 176, 306, 307,
309.
Boorum, John, 63.
Booth, Henry, 333; Mrs. Henry,
226, 237, 326; Miss Lydia, 192,
231; Miss Mabel, 239.
Boston, Miss Louisa, 235; Miss
Sarah, 235.
Bostwick, Andrew, 60, 61, 85, 354;
Joseph A., 167, 305, 309.
Bosworth, Jabez, 94, 113, 116, 130,
170, 305; Joseph, 127; Nathan-
iel, 89, 90, 92, 360-362.
Bowen, Mrs. E. W., 235; Reon L.,
242.
Bower, G. C, 242; Mrs. G. C,
239; John, 242.
Bowman, Godfrey, 170; Joseph,
130, 170.
Boyd, David, 156; George, 170, 307.
Bradbury, Mrs. Frank, 229, 234,
235; Thomas C, 208.
Bramble, James, 90, 94, 101, 305,
307, 361, 377.
Brazier, Miss Myra, 239.
Bremner, the Rev. George, 318.
Brenner, Mrs. Edward, 235.
Brewster, Eliza, 193; Gilbert, 156,
160, 170.
Briggs, Mrs. George, 239.
Brightman, David, 314.
Brill, Miss Helen C, 234.
Brinckerhoff, Abraham, 41; John
H., 246.
Brittain, Mackenzie, 315.
Brokosch, Mrs. Joseph, 235.
Brooks, Mrs. Charles, 229; David,
36, 41, 53, 114, 130, 170, 303, 304,
307, 398; Isaac, 66.
Broome, William, 113, 130, 164.
Brower, James C, 242.
Brown, E., 130; Elisha, 130; the
Rev. Dr. John, 169, 285, 286;
Joseph, 130, 170; Miss Lotta,
2.34; Richard, 242; William, 130.
Brownejohn, Thomas, 170.
Brownlee, Mrs. Mary R., 235, 239.
Brush, John, 130, 170.
Buckingham, Charles H., 326; Mrs.
Charles H., 218. 227, 235. 237-
239, 260, 326, 329, 330, 335;
Stephen M., 159, 203, 208, 223,
306, 307.
Buckley, John, 311, 313.
Buel, the Rev. Dr. Samuel, 162, 174,
188, 194, 196, 197, 199, 204, 205,
208, 211-215, 222, 250, 290, 291,
324; Mrs. Samuel (Eliza Wilmer),
205, 291.
Bulkley, the Rev. Barzillai, 122,
128, 282, 283, 321; Mrs. Bar-
zillai (Mary Gunn), 128, 283;
Jonathan, 282; the Rev. Peter,
282; Uriah, 170; the Rev. Wil-
liam J., 283; William, 170.
426
Index to Persons
Burchan, Mrs. P. S., 208.
Burgess, the Rt. Rev. George, 277,
280; Mrs., 235.
Burke, Dennis, 170.
Burritt, Josiah, 156, 160, 170; R.,
170.
Burton, the Rev. Dr. Daniel, 17.
Bush, Mrs. Archibald McClure, 238,
239; Jacob, 127, 130, 164, 170;
Philo, 170.
Bussing, William E., 242.
Butler, Mrs. Francis H. (Katherine
L. Stuyve.sant), 325.
Buttolph, Mr., 193.
Buys, Abraham, 30.
Cadwell, Dr. Chester T., 242; Mrs.
Chester T., 238. 239.
Cady, the Rev. Dr. Philander K.,
172, 174, 194, 199, 208, 211. 213,
215, 222, 225, 292, 293, 316, 324;
Mrs. Philander K., 292; Hamil-
ton, 292; Miss, 292.
Caire, Gilbert, 242; Mrs. Gilbert,
236.
Caldwell, Harry. 101; Matthew, 94,
113, 305.
Callow, James, 84; James, Jr., 84.
Campbell, Mr., 193.
Canfield, Alva T., 170.
Cannon, Arnout, 246; C. L., 246;
Pelton, 242.
Cantlin, Peter. 246.
Carman, Caleb, 41,66, 101; Joshua,
17, 31.
Carpenter, David, 66, 93, 94;
DuBois, 242; Mrs. DuBois, 238,
239; Jacob B., 209. 246; Leonard,
246; Mrs. Phillipina Fields, 327;
Thomas, ISO; Virginia, 328, 338;
William, 209; William B., 306,
326, 328, 338; Mrs. William B.,
239, 326.
Carr, Thomas, 94.
Carter, Dr. Norris M., 209.
Carty, John, 246; Jane, 246.
Cary, Edward, 170; Joseph, 38.
Case, Dr. Walter R., 246, ,251;
Mrs. Walter R., 239.
Cassidy, George, 242.
Chamberlain, John, 66, 69.
Chambers, Mrs. Anne, 42.
Champion, George F.. 242; Mrs.
George F., 235, 239.
Chandler, the Rev. Charles N., 209,
Cbandonet, Francois. 66. 69. 84, 86,
93, 101.
Chapman, Mrs. Peter. 235; W. S.,
246. i
Chase, M. H., 242; Mrs. M. H., 237,
239; the Rt. Rev. Philander, 106-
114, 116-121, 126, 215, 279-282,
321, 322, 386, 387, 395; Mrs.
Philander (Mary Fay), 281; Mrs.
Philander (Sophia M. Ingraham).
281.
Chaucer, Alexander, 53.
Chichester, Miss Florence, 234, 239;
Mrsr Frederick, 234, 235.
Child, John, 36, 41, 53, 304, 344,
362.
Christie, Miss Edith, 234.
Clagett, the Rt. Rev. Thomas' J.,
80, 277.
Clark, Clarke, Allen, 170; [George.
153, 306; the Rev. Richard, 65;
Major William, 98.
Clerk, Mrs. Thomas, 42.
Cleveland, Stephen, 141, 156, 170,
203, 306.
Clinton, Governor George, 52, 57,
Club, A., 42.
Coapman, Copeman, Jacob, 41;
John, 14. 92.
Cockburn, Will., 34, 349, 350.
Golden, Cadwallader D., 81, £0. S2,
101, 305, 307, 358; Mrs. Cad-
wallader D. (Maria Provoost), 81.
Cole, Isaac, 41; Ulysses, 203.
Coleman, the Rt. Rev. Ltighton,
297.
Collingwood, John G., 246; Mrs.
John, 230; Mrs. M. E., 2S0.; |
Conklin, Harry, 156; Henry, 153,
170; Nathan, 170.
Conrad, Peter, 242.
Cook and Hopkins, 69.
Cook, Cooke, Daniel, 14; John,' 17,
41, 69, 84, 88, 93, 94, 101, 113.
305, 343, 346, 852, 35.S. 357, 400,
401, 409, 413-415; Mrs. John,
416; Miss Polly, 114; Mr., 71,
392, 393; Dr. Samuel, 57, 64, 371;
William M., 66.
Cooper and Hughson, 193.
Cooper, Ebenezer, 14; Jacobus, 357;
James, 84, 90, 93, 101, 353, S61;
Dr. Jeremiah, 71, 343, 346, 347,
352-354, 357, 413, 414; Dr. John,
142, 153, 156, 160, 170, 305; Dr.
John Reed, 142; Obadiah. 71;
Philip, 53; Samuel, 101.
Corlies, Miss Emma, 226; Joseph,
209.
427
Index to Persons
Cornell, James, 98; John, 53;
Richard, 31; Stephen, 53; Thom-
as, 31.
Cornish, Joseph, 130, 314.
Cornwell, Miss Antoinette, 226,
230, 331; Miss Belle, 209;
George, 186, 203, 206, 209, 245,
246. 251, 287, 304, 306, 307, 309,
310, 334; Mrs. George, 230, 239;
Miss Helen, 233, 238, 239, 241;
Miss Irene, 230, 233, 238, 239,
241; Miss Mary E., 226, 230,
237-239.
Coster, Thomas, 203.
Coxe, Macgrane, 332, 334; Mrs.
Macgrane, 332; Peter Townsend,
332; Robert E., 186.
Coxhead, Homer L., 242; John P.,
176, 311, 313; Miss Susan, 239.
Crannell, Bartholomew, 14, 17, 19,
23-25, 27-29, 35, 36, 41, 49, 53,
56, 57, 64. 85, 269, 303, 304,
343, 344, 365, 368, 369, 371, 375,
378, 379, 381-385, 390, 392-394;
Mrs. Bartholomew (Tryntje Van
Kleeck), 27.
Crary, Archibald C, 170; the Rev.
Dr. Robert P., 186; Mrs. Robert
P., 248; Sarah, 170.
(Cremshew ?). John D., 42.
Crooke, Charles, 14, 43, 44, 53, 55,
116, 177, 208, 305, 306, 329, 353;
Mrs. Charles (Ann Rutgers), 42,
47; Mrs. Charles (Jane Van
Valkenburgh), 41, 53; Mrs. Char-
les (Anna Neher), 203, 329;
Miss Cornelia B., 176; Henry
Suydam, 329; John, 47, 84, 93,
94, 101, 116, 130, 148, 170, 305;
Mrs. John (Cornelia Livingston),
116; John J., 329; Miss Julia, 47,
239, 329; Lewis, 329; Mrs.
Lewis (Sarah E. Reynolds), 329;
Miss Mary H., 176; Robert. 329,
Cropsey, Mrs., 170.
Crosswell, the Rev. Harry, 159.
Culver, Mrs., 193.
Cummins, the Rev. Alexander G.
Sr., 297; Mrs. Alexander G.
(Louisa Hayes), 339; the Rev.
Dr. Alexander G., 144, 188, 218,
236, 237, 242. 256, 257, 259, 260,
297, 208, 320, 321, 339.
Cundy, Edward W., 242; Mrs.
Edward W., 239.
Cunningham, Prederic, 176; Gar-
wood H., 130; Joseph H., 170;
Sarah, 127; Walter, 142, 153, 156.
160, 165, 170.
Curdy, Mrs. P. J., 235.
Curry, Samuel, 62, 63, 91, 92.
Curtis, Henry M., 246, 307, 308;
Mrs. Henry M., 223, 226, 230;
Henry S., 232.
Dalcho, Dr. Frederick, 276.
Dale, Mrs. Henry, 239; John W.,
335.
Dakin, E. K., 170; Myron, 156.
Daniel, Mrs., 194.
Darwin, Charles, 219.
Davids, George W., 239, 242; Mrs.
George W., 239; Newell, 242;
Mrs. Newell, 235; Raymond B.,
242.
Davies, Alice, 176; Miss Charlotte,
223, 331; John W., 203, 209, 212;
Sarah, 176; the Rev. Thomas, 13,
114, 267; Thomas L., 151, 153,
156, 160, 170, 180, 185, 186, 193,
203, 209, 287, 303, 306, 308, 310,
320, 332; Mrs. Thomas L. (Jane
C. E. Reed), 153, 176, 177, 180,
181, 182, 196, 203, 287; William,
94, 104, 105, 113-115, 122, 125,
127, 130, 153, 156, 160, 170, 180,
185, 191, 193, 196, 303, 305, 332,
Mrs. William (Alice Antill), 153,
159, 203; William A., 122, 156,
159, 181, 186, 193, 203, 209, 246,
306, 308, 316; Mrs. William A.
(Sarah Van Wagenen), 181, 185;
Mrs. William A. (Prances Burritt),
222 227.
Davis', Daniel, 130, 170, 305; the
Rev. Edward, 169, 317; Hannah,
160; Henry, 69, 142, 156, 160.
170, 305, 308; John, 14, 21, 22.
27, 33, 36, 41, 47, 49, 53, 55, 58,
59, 62, 63, 66, 69, 71, 73, 75, 84.
85, 90, 93, 94, 99, 101, 104, 106,
113, 115, 119, 120, 125, 127-130,
136, 170, 269, 303, 304, 306, 308-
310, 315, 319, 341, 342, 345, 356-
358, 363, 364, 367, 378, 382, 387,
397, 414; Mrs. John, 170; John
H., 153, 170, 309; Leonard, 113,
130, 156, 170, 305, 317, 386; Mrs.
Leonard, 153; Richard, 14, 30, 31.
35, 36, 41, 47, 49, 53, 55, 58-61,
63, 66, 69, 71, 83-86, 89, 93, 94,
99, 101, 105, 110, 113, 115, 130,
170, 277, 303. 304, 31-0, 319, 343,
345, 347, 351-354, 357, 358, 360,
428
Index to Persons
362-364, 371, 380, 381, 386. 393,
400, 402, 405, 408. 412, 413;
Richard, Jr., 55, 66, 304, 412;
Richard D., 140, 141, 153, 156,
159, 160, 193, 306, 309, 310;
Widow Sally. 170; Miss Sally,
153; the Rev. Sheldon, 216;
Smith W., 242; Mrs. Smith W.,
238. 239; William, 89. 115.
Dayton, Mrs. Samuel, 235.
Dearing, Thomas, 14, 53.
De Cantillon, Richard, 66, 69, 86,
93, 101, 164.
DeGrafif, Abraham, 41; Moses, 41.
De Lametter, Delamater, Lavina,
66; Peter, 55, 304.
De Lance}', Stephen J., 98; Warren,
130, 170; the Rt. Rev. W. H.,
292.
De La Vergne, Nicholas, 19.
Delmar, Etta, 331.
Denning, William, 42.
Dennis, Cyrus Cornell, 325; James
McKim, 325; Roland R., 251,
325; Mrs. Roland R., 230.
De Pew. Christina L., 176; John,
156, 160, 170.
De Puyster, Jacobus, 14; Mrs., 170.
De Riemer, Peter, 89, 94; Samuel,
94.
Desbrosses, Elias, 42, 85. 87.
Detlefs, John, 242.
Deveaux, Mrs., 170.
DeVemont, Charles Martin John
Peter, 85. (See Vemont.)
Devine, Seward, 242.
De Witt, Johannes, 41.
Dickenson, Mrs., 193.
Dix, the Rev. Dr. Morgan. 187.
Dodge, Le Grand, 176, 193, 203,
207, 209, 246, 251, 303, 304, 306,
308, 329, 330; Mrs. Le Grand
(Cornelia Crooke), 203, 329.
Dorland, Dorlon, Mrs. C. P., 239;
John, 41.
Doty, A. M., 246.
Doughty, Augustus. 242. 246, 251,
331; Mrs. Augustus (Margaret
Livingston Crooke), 226, 227, 230,
231, 2.33, 237-239, 329; Isaac, 170;
Joseph C, 209; Mrs. Mary
Harris, 239; Robert, 242; Tim-
othy, 53> 69.
Douglass, James, 66.
Douw, Miss Helen L., 226; J. De
Puvster, 203, 208, 209, 246, 251,
306, 308.
Dow, Alexander C, 242; Mrs.
Alexander C, 238, 239.
Downes, William T., 246.
Duane, James, 42. 341-343.
Du Bois and Bailey, 93.
Du Bois, Elias, 92; Henry, 66. 69;
Lewis, 14, 30, 41, 42, 53. 101;
Mrs., 101.
Duffee, Daniel, 66. 69, 101.
Duncan, Charles H., 101, 130;
Thomas, 14, 42.
Dunn, Andrew, 88, 92, 101, 274,
358, 360; John, 88, 92. 101. 274,
358, 360.
Dunning, Lyman, 94.
Duryea, Duryee, Abram T., 101;
Abraham I., 94; Jacob K., 66.
Dusenbury, Duzenbury, John, 101,
314, 358; Stephen, 170.
Dutton, Captain, 153: Samuel B.,
170, 193, 209, 30'i; Eliza De
Witt, 176.
Dyett, Joshua, 170.
East, James, 209; Mrs. James E.,
239; Joseph, 203, 209.
Eastmead, Thomas, 210, 314.
Eldridge, E. Q., 203, 209; Mrs. E.
Q., 203.
Ellice, Henry, 314.
Ellison, Gabriel, 53.
Elmendorf. Conrad V D., 66.
Elting, Irving, 142, 246, 334; Mrs.
Irving, 230, 334.
Emons, Eli. 14, 53, 56, 304; John,
14, 53, 56.
Emott, James. 42; the Hon, James,
Sr., 127, 130, 136, 140, 141, 156,
160, 170, 176, 303, 305, 308, 315,
316; Mrs. James, Sr., 153; the
Hon. James, Jr., 176, 191-194,
197, 205, 212, 306, 308; Mrs.
James, Jr. (Marv H. Crooke),
329; William, 14, 22, 28, 29, 34,
41. 53, 55. 57, 58, 63, 64, 66, 69,
71, 76, 82-84, 90, 92-94, 98, 99,
101, 104, 105. 113, 130, 151, 170,
274, 277, 303, 304, 308-311, 320,
321, 345, 347, 351-353, 356-363,
365, 367, 372, 374, 377. 380-383,
386-396, 398-400, 405-407, 412.
English, Joseph C, 242; Mrs.
Joseph C, 225, 237, 239.
Ernst, Anthonv, 94.
Erskin, Williaitn, 345.
Evans, the Rev. William P., 318.
Everitt, Clear, 14; Henry, 53;
429
Index to Persons
Peter, 156, 170; Richard, 53, 66,
69, 93, 94, 101, 170.
Evertson, George B., 94, 170.
Faller, .\lbert W., 319.
Farrington, William R., 246; Mrs.
William R. (Mary E. Goodsell),
226, 230, 238.
Fay, Eliphaz, 153, 310, 313.
F(elton.'), John, 14.
Ferdon, Abraham, 5.3, 66, 84;
Jacob, 14, 53, 56; Johannes, 14,
19, 53; Johannes, Jr., 19; John,
14, 84, 305; John, Jr., 36, 53, 304;
John I., 101; John Z., 101, 305;
Zachariah, 14, 36, 53, 55, 66, 69,
101, 304.
Ferguson, Stephen, 314. (See Fo-
gerson.)
Ferris, Edmund, 352; Nathaniel,
170.
Field, John, 170; ( .' ), 101.
Fields, Henry A., 156.
Filkin, Francis, 27, 42; Henry, 19.
Finlay, Mary Louisa, 176; Sarah,
176.
Fish, Alfred H.. 232, 234, 242; the
Rev. Samuel C, 232, 234, 318;
Miss, 230.
Fisher, John, 42.
Fitchett, Mrs. James, 246; J.
Howard, 242.
Flagler, Robert, 242, 315.
Flewelling, Samuel, 170,
Flockton, Miss Frances, 315.
Fogerson, Stephen, 156. (See Fer-
guson.)
Fogg, Mrs. Charles, 230.
Fonda, James H., 176, 192, 193, 306,
308; John, 176; John L., 116,
127, 131, 153, 156, 170, 305, 308.
309; Mrs. John L., 153; Richard,
170; Richard I., 153, 157; Wil-
liam, 176.
Forbes, John W., 152, 329, 330.
Forbus, Alexander, 160, 170; John,
94.
Forman, Aaron, 66; Mrs. Eliza D.,
230, 24G; Miss Grace, 230, 246;
William, 14.
Forrey, Christian, 88.
Fosburgh, Joakim, 69.
Fowler, Benjamin M., 242; David
H., 242; Mrs. David H., 236.
Fox, Alcander, 209; Mr., 310, 311.
Frank, Mrs. Andrew, 236.
Frankenstein, George H., 242.
Franklyn, (?), 170.
Frear, Jacobus, 94; John, 14, 53,
94.
Frederick, Albert, 242.
Freligh, George, 41.
French, Bronson, 155, 170; Clifford
319; Elizabeth, 176; Mrs. Har-
vey, 234; Mrs. Mary A., 209.
Frith, Mrs., 170.
Frost, Allen, 234; Joseph G., 194;
Mrs. Joseph G., 230; Miss Julia,
230; Louis N., 242.
Fryer, Mrs. Alexander L., 226.
Gaine, Hugh, 42.
Gallimore, George, 170.
Gardner, Ezekiel, 170.
Garfield, President, 257.
Garrison, John W., 242; Mrs.
John W., 238, 239, 241.
Gavitt, Joseph, 157; (?), 170.
Gay. John B., 131, 170; William, 53.
Gavlord, George R., 193, 203, 209
Mrs. John, 234.
V Germond, James, 19; James P., 66
John, 19; Peter, 19.
Gibson, Jane, 325; Mary, 325
William, 203, 209, 210, 212, 246
251, 314. 325.
Gildersleeve, Elmer D., Jr., 242
Mrs. Elmer D., Jr., 239.
Gill, Captain Robert, 84, 101, 131,
157. 170.
Gillender, Mr., 193.
Goelet, Peter, 42; Thomas, 170.
Goodey, Mrs. Sarah, 236.
Goodrich, William M., 209, 233, 306.
308; Mrs. William M., 246; Miss,
230.
Gorrell, James, 170.
Graham, James, 170; Je.sse J., 242,
307, 310; Mrs. Jesse J. (Elvira
Sague), 226, 230, 239; John N.,
242; R., 232.
Gray, Augustus B., 242, 307; Mrs.
Augustus B., 239; George W.,
242; Harry, 242.
Green, Mrs. Ann, 153, 170, 193;
Joseph, 38.
Greer, the Rt. Rev. David H., 257.
Griffin, Mrs., 230.
Grubb, John, 176, 208, 209, 306,
317; the Rev. William C, 317.
Guernsey, Stephen G., 246.
Gullen, John, 84, 93, 101, 131;
William, 170.
Gunn, Abel, Sr., 94, 101, 128, 131,
430
Index to Persons
170; Abel, Jr., 128, 149, 160, 192,
204, 311, 313-315; Joseph, 157,
170; Mary (Mrs. Barzillai Bulk-
ley), 128; Samuel, 157; Mrs.,
170.
Guylee, Ernest, 242; Miss Lena,
241.
Hackett, Mrs. John, 239.
Hackley, Mrs. John H., 246.
Hageman, Hegeman, Hendrick, 53;
Isaac. 41, 53; William W., 209.
Haight, Mrs. Edward, 230; W., 232.
Hall, James, 66.
Halliwell, George, 170; George W.,
246, 250, 311, 314; Mrs. George
W., 226 228, 230, 239.
Halstead, John, 38, 41, 71, 98, 343,
346, 352, 357, 400, 401; John F.,
209, 246; Jonas, 71, 345-347, 400,
401; Mrs. William, 236.
Hamilton, Adolphus, 326, 331;
Mrs. Adolphus, 230, 246, 251,
326; Miss Edith, 226, 230. 231.
246, 251. 331.
Hammersley. Andrew, 42. 105;
Mrs. John W., 203.
Hammond, Miss, 230.
Hampton, Miss Elise, 231; Mrs.
Henry, 226, 229. 230. 246; Miss
May, 230.
Hannah, Miss Florence, 315.
Hanscom, Andrew J.. 209.
Harcourt. Mrs. C. C, 239.
Hardenbrook, Miss Louise, 239. 241.
Hare, William, 246.
Harris, Joseph, 41; Peter, 14, 17, 19.
23, 31. 48, 53, 56, 124, 362, 363,
366, 370, 374, 379, 380, 383, 392.
394; Mrs. Peter, 379.
Harrison, Frederick, 170; President
William H., 163.
Hart, Abram Percival, 242; Ben-
jamin Hall. 209; Mrs. Benjamin
Hall (Elizabeth Nicholls), 203;
Miss Cornelia B., 234; Miss
Emily, 239; Miss Mary A., 217,
225, 239; the Rev. Seth, 216;
William Hall, 216, 242, 307.
Harvey, James, 170; Mrs., 203,
209.
Hasbrouck, the Hon. Frank, 307;
Mrs. Frank. 230, 237; Dr., 170.
Hatch, Abijah S., 160, 306; the
Rev. Frederick W., 165; George.
153; Miss Julia, 246; Miss
Susan, 246; Miss, 209.
Hawkins, Barney, 157.
Hay, Charles, 06, 69, 101; Maria,
114; Mrs. Sarah, 114; Udney,
60, 65, 66, 69, 85, 101.
Hayt, Peter B., 240, 331, 334; Mrs.
Peter B., 230; Mrs., 226.
Hebbard, Hebard, Daniel, 170, 305;
John Jay, 170.
Heermance, Mrs. Andrew. 113.
Heinze. Millie, 331.
Henderson, Adam, 170; Oliver H.,
209.
Hendricksen, Stephen, 66, 69, 93,
94, 101, 131. 170, 305, 361.
Heroy. Mrs. Smith. 230, 246.
Herrick ( ? ), 170.
Hess, the Rev. Lewis E., 299.
Hey, J., 232.
Heyser, Peter, 14.
Hill, Nathaniel, 157.
Hillis, Mrs., 203.
Hinckley, Barney, 203, 209; Mrs.
Barney, 203.
Hinkle, Theodore, 246; Miss Mary
Emily, 246.
Hinkley, Miss Anne, 239; James
William, 246, 328; Mrs. James
William, 227, 237, 239, 329, 330;
James William, 2d. 242, 307;
Mrs. James William, 2d, 239;
Miss Jane L., 234, 235, 238, 239,
241, 330; John L., 242; Miss
Josephine, 239; Mrs. Mary A.,
230, 239, 328; Miss Mary, 231.
Hitchcock, Robert, 167.
Hobart, the Rt. Rev. John H., 132,
138-140, 148, 172, 282, 283, 285,
286.
Hobert, Mrs. Powell, 236.
Hobson, John, 94.
Hoffman, Hoof man, Abraham. 94;
Anthony. 94, 101, 305, 358;
Mrs. Anthony (Gertrude Ver-
planck), 113, 131, 167, 160. 170;
Martin, 66, 69; Robert, 41, 66.
69, 352, 357.
Holliday, Captain, 212.
Holmes, Mrs. Maud Van Buren, 246.
Holthuysen, John L.. 170; Louisa
P., 176; Mary C, 176.
Hooker, James, 140, 141, 153, 157.
160, 170, 306. 309; Mrs. James
(Helen Reade), 153, 203, 209, 330.
Hooper, Judith, 66.
Hopkins, Stephen A., 101.
Hopper, Matthew, 170.
Horner, Henercha, 84.
431
Index to Persons
Horsmanden, Daniel, 42.
Horton, Mrs. Anna Page, 236.
Houghton, Charles L., 209.
Howard, Hattie, 331; P., 232.
Hoyle. William, Jr., 160, 306.
Hoyt, Stephen, 94, 106, 107, 109,
113, 116, 127, 131, 170, 305, 308,
309, 383; Mrs. Stephen, 170;
Stephen, 2d, 305.
Hufcut, Miss Hazel, 231; Mrs.
Horace D., 230.
Hughes, Mrs. Joseph, 236.
Hughson, Miss Julia, 209; Dr.
Walter, 142, 318; the Rev.
Walter, 318.
Hulme, Mrs. Mary C, 203, 209,
228 230 251.
Humphrey,' William, 17, 19, 20, 31,
32.
Hunt, William, 193.
Hunter, Miss Lillian, 239.
Hunting, Mrs. Nathaniel, 230;
Mrs. Samuel, 230.
Hyde, Guy, 170.
IngersoU, Samuel M.. 242; Mrs.
Samuel M., 239.
Ingraham, Duncan, 101, 131, 281;
Mrs. James, 236; Mrs., 131, 170.
Irving, Henry, 209, 246, 314.
Irwin, James, 246.
Jack, the Negro, 48, 60, 61.
Jackson, Miss Lucy, 233; Mrs.
Margaret C, 246.
James, Beekman, 203; Edward K.,
160, 208, 306, 308, 309; R., 127;
Richard, 170, 203; Mrs. Sarah,
193.
Jarvis, the Rt. Rev. Abraham, 121,
122, 282; ( ? ), 170.
Jecox, William, 14.
Jelliff, the Rev. Hiram, 176, 191,
192, 194.
Jewett, F. W., 170; Nathan, 170.
Johnson, Ira W., 315; Mrs. Ira W.,
246; the Rev. Dr. Samuel, 12, 13,
70, 267, 347; Samuel, 69, 94, 113,
131, 170.
Johnston, Charles, 160, 306, 308,
309; John, 94, 113, 131, 164, 170,
308.
Jones, Miss Elizabeth Van Cleef,
239, 240; Mrs. Martha Barnard,
226, 259, 338; Samuel, 42; Mrs.
Walter Mott, 238, 239.
Kaess, William, 246.
Kahler, Mrs. Louisa, 236.
Kaiser, Augustus, 242.
Kaley, Mrs. J. K., 239.
Kaye, Mrs. Martha, 246.
Kearney, Robert, 170; Susan Watts
(Mrs. William I. Street), 384.
Keller, Stephen, 246; Sophie, 246.
Kelley, Mrs. W. W., 246.
Kelsey, Kelcey, Harriet J. (see
Sague); Henry, 170; Jonas, 41,
42, 53, 66, 93, 101.
Kent, the Hon. James, 93, 96;
Moss, 15.
Ketcham, Gilbert, 131, 170.
Kettletas, William, 101; Mrs., 84.
Key, Francis Scott, 278; Mrs.
William, 236.
Keynton, Samuel, 210, 212, 314.
Kiefer, Christian, 246.
Kimlin, John, 209; William, 209;
William R., 246.
Kidney, Lydia, 170; Robert I., 157.
Kimball, Nathaniel, 170.
King, Mrs. Andrew, 209; Charles
Edward, 242; Mrs. Charles Ed-
ward, 236; Herman, 311, 313;
John W., 242, 314, 315; Mrs.
John W., 236; Richard, 33, 343.
Kinkead, Miss Cornelia Dodge, 207,
231, 237, 239, 320, 330; the Rev.
George Blackburn, 3d, 207, 318,
330; Dr. John, 246, 251, 318,
334; Mrs. John (Anna Dodge),
318; Mrs. John (Elise S. Hamil-
ton), 226, 227, 230, 239, 246, 331.
Kip, Elizabeth, 66; Francis, 03, 357.
Knapp, Mr., 199, 310-312.
Knill, Mrs. Alice A., 176, 203.
Knower, Benjamin, 94, 101.
Knowlson, Mrs. Walter S., 239.
Kohl, Mrs. Carl, 239.
Ladd, the Rev. Dr. Horatio O., 7.
La Fayette, General the Marquis
de, 162.
Lake, Charles, 246.
Lalouette, Miss Pauline, 209, 230,
239.
Lamson, Miss Elizabeth, 114.
Landers, John, 94.
Lane, Silas, 242.
Langdon, Thomas, 5, 6.
Lausing, Johannes, 15; Johannes
P., 15; Peter, 15; Peter A., 15;
William, 15.
Lawless, John, 94.
432
Index to Persons
Lawrence, Captain, 42, 66; N., 69.
Lawson, John, 314.
Leake, John, 34, 42, 349.
Learning, the Rev. Jeremiah, 70.
347, 401.
LefiFerts, Daniel, 55, 66. 69, 84, 93,
99, 101, 303, 304, 308, 353, 355,
357, 413.
Leight, Edward, 42.
Lent, David B., 170.
Le Roux, Charles, 17, 19, 23, 391,
393.
Le Roy, Laroy, Jacob, 42; John,
62, 63, 69, 94, 101, 131, 410;
John, Jr., 66; Mrs., 84; Peter,
41; Simon, 41; Simon, Jr., 41, 53.
Lester, Mordecai, 41.
Lewis, Albert, 242; Mrs. Catherine,
236; Jonathan, 53, 131, 310, 311;
Leonard, 93, 357; Morgan, 94;
Richard, 131; Sabin, 170; the
Rev. William G. W., 317.
Lightbourne, Joseph G., 170.
Lincoln, President, 213.
Lindsley, Mrs., 236.
Livingston, Beekman, 66, 93; Gil-
bert, 15, 41, 51, 53, 57, 69, 94, 96,
99, 101, 366, 395; Mrs. Gilbert
(Catherine Crannell), 51, 99, 122;
Gilbert I.. 69; Henry, 53; Henry
A., 94; Henry G., 131; Henry,
Sr., 101; James, 15, 21, 66; John,
43; John B., 131; Philip I., 304;
Philip J., 41; Robert G., 115;
Robert H., 66, 93, 131; Robert
R., 43; Robert R., Jr., 43.
Livingston & Kent, 93, 96.
Lossing, Benson J., 212, 306, 308.
Lother, Louther, Louder, Lowder,
William, 66, 69, 84, 101, 131.
Lott, Abraham P., 43; the Rev.
Leonard Walter, 318.
Lovett, John, 15, 53.
Low, John, 41; Peter, 41; William,
41.
Lucas, U. Grant, 242.
Ludington, Henry, 41.
Ludlow, Gabriel H., 43; Gabriel
William, 43, 47; George, 43,
151; George Duncan, 43; Mary,
127; William, 15, 43; William
Henry, 43.
Lumb, G., 232.
Lupton, William, 43.
Luyster, Peter, 41.
Lyke, Mrs. Frederick S., 233, 234,
238.
Maar, Henry J., 242; R. H., 232.
Mabbett, Mrs. Edwin, 209.
Madison, Charles, 242; Frank, 242;
Mrs. Frank, 236; the Rt. Rev.
James, 80.
Madsen, Fred, 242.
Mahoney, Mrs. Ann, 236.
Maison, the Rev. Dr. Charles A.,
317; Leonard, 141, 157, 160, 162.
171, 317; Peter R., 128, 131, 171;
William P., 176.
Malcomb, Mrs., 209.
Maloney, Richard J., 242.
Mancius, C, 41.
Mann, Dr. Frederick J., 242; Mrs.
Frederick J. (Mina L. Frost), 233,
237, 239.
Manney, John, 94.
Manning, Miss Rosalie. 237-239;
Mrs. William, 239.
Marsh, Miss Elizabeth, 246; Mrs.,
230; Silas, 66; Silas, Jr., 93, 101.
Marshall, George C, 160, 306.
Marston, Mr., 43.
Marx, Walter S., 242.
Mason, Edward T., 251, 334; Mrs.
Edward T., 230; Miss Josephine,
231.
Masten, Hendrick, 41.
McAvoy, Mrs. Peter, 246.
McClelland, Miss Nancy Vincent,
231.
McConaghy, Mrs. Anna B., 246;
George, 242.
McCoull, Miss Emily H., 246.
McDonald, Charles, 314, 315.
McGlasson, Miss Minnie R., 239.
McKean, Levi, 94, 100, 101. 131;
Mrs. Levi (Helen), 113.
McKinley, President, 257.
McKisson, John, 43.
McSparran, the Rev. Dr., 265.
Meacham, John, Jr., 126, 127.
Mead, Miss Jane, 236.
Meade, Charles J., 242; Mrs.
Charles J., 225, 237, 331.
Medlar, Aaron, 15, 53; Johannes,
15, 19, 41, 56; John, 36, 53, 84,
304.
Meeks, James, 168.
Meisanbacker, ( ? ), 246.
Merritt, Miss Mary T., 209, 246.
Mesier, Abraham, 43; Matthew,
122, 131, 171; Peter, 84, 86, 93,
101, 106-108, 131, 308, 353, 356-
358, 361, 362, 411.
Mesier and Schenck, 43, 90.
433
Index to Persons
Metcalf, Henry, 15.
Michael, Mrs., 171.
Mills, Mrs. Herbert, 239; James, 101.
Minturn, Nathaniel G., 171.
Mitchell, Isaac, 171; L., 232; Mary
171,203; Mrs., 171; Robert. 171;
Sarah, 203; Statia, 171; Stephen,
131, 171; Thomas, 90, 94, 101,
131, 305, 361, 381; Uriah, 53, 66;
the Rev. Walter, 327; Mrs.
Walter, 327.
Mooney, Daniel, 171.
Moore, the Rt. Rev. Benjamin, 75,
116-121. 128, 129, 138, 284, 323
Governor, Sir Henry, 34, 359
James, 314, 397; John, 47
William, 94.
Morgan, Mrs. Charles, 236; Mrs.
S. N., 226, 230, 239; Mrs., 209;
Peter B., 113, 125, 127, 171, 305.
Morris, Richard, 63.
Morrison, Malcolm, 15.
Morton, Mrs. Levi P. (Anna L.
Street), 334.
Moseley, Gideon, 157, 171, 310, 312;
Lucilius, 246; Mrs., 171.
Moss, Charles, 19; Matias, 15.
Mott, Ebenezer, 53, 94, 111;
Henry, 55, 59, 66. 69, 84, 93, 94,
^~ 101, 304, 351-353, 356, 405, 412,
414; Jacob, 66, 69; John, 41, 53,
56, 66, 69, 84, 93, 94, 101, 131,
305, 308; Joseph, Jr., 66, 69;
Samuel, 41, 53, 101; Thomas, 66.
Muhlenberg, the Rev. Dr. William
A., 201.
Mullin, Peter, 41.
Myers, Frank, 242; Harriet A.,
176; John P., 157, 171; Miss
Luella, 241: Mrs. Mary C, 236
Nathan, 171; Nathan, Jr., 171
Peter, 94; Peter Ten Broeck, 171
Miss Sarah C, 236; Thomas C,
242.
Nash, Daniel, 84, 94.
Neill, John, 15.
Neilson, John, 15; Theophilus, 15.
Nelson, Mrs. Cornelia M., 228, 230,
261; Miss Elizabeth P., 230; the
Hon. Homer A., 209; Jacob, 171;
Miss Leila, 230.
Newbold, Thomas, 43, 203.
Newcomb, Miss Elizabeth, 226,
227, 230; Isaac Burhans, 176;
Isaac M., 160; Mrs. Sophia P.,
209, 230, 246.
Newman, John Henry, 173, 175.
Newport, George, 171.
Neville, Dorsey, 246.
Nicholl, Dr. William W., 171.
Nicholls, Mrs. E., 193; Miss Louisa
A., 203, 246; Samuel, 124, 383,
386, 387; Mrs. Walter C, 239;
Mr., 171.
Nickalls, Charles, 43.
Nickerson, Miss Marjorie L., 237.
NicoUs, Edward, Jr., 43.
Niles, Mrs. Charles M., 208, 330.
Noble, Benjamin, 171.
North, Reuben, 176, 193, 203, 208,
209, 306, 308, 310; Captain
Robert, 52, 53, 66; Mrs., 209.
Northrop, Elijah, 160.
Nott, the Rev. Dr. Eliphalet, 286.
Noxon, Bartholomew, 4, 19, 20, 31,
41, 47, 53, 128, 131, 171, 303, 309,
343; Dr. Robert, 4, 55, 58, 66, 69,
71, 84, 90, 94, 101, 113, 128, ISl,
171, 303, 304, 353, 355, 361, 364,
365, 377, 398, 405, 412, 414; Mrs.
Robert (Hester Davis), 58; Si-
mon, 53, 55, 66, 69, 304, 345;
Thomas, 4.
Nye, Ebenezer, 171.
Oakley, George Peters, 128, 131,
153, 157, 160, 165, 171, 305, 308;
Jesse, 131; John W., 157, 171;
Mrs. J. W., 153; the Hon.
Thomas J., 114, 128, 136, 157,
171, 305, 308.
Olivet, Mrs. George D., 237-239;
Miss Florence W., 237, 239.
Onderdonck, the Rt. Rev. Benja-
min, 160, 290.
Orcutt, Silas M., 131.
Osborn, Osborne, Osburn, Miss C.
H., 311, 313, 315; Samuel, 31;
William, 171; W. H., 242.
Ostrander, Andreas, 69; Gideon,
27, 374, 375, 378. 393, 396-398;
Mrs. J. D., 247.
Ostrom, Andrew, 363, 378; Hen-
drick, 27, 368, 374, 380, 397;
Mrs. Hendrick (Marritje), 124,
362, 366, 378-380; Henry, 66,
363, 378; Jacobus, 362-364, 366,
367, 370, 378-880, 389: John, 363,
378; Nelly (Mrs. Westervelt),
378, 381.
Otis, Annie S., 326; Dr. John
Calhoun, 242, 247, 251, 304, 307,
308, 326, 329, 334; Mrs. John
434
Index to Persons
Calhoun (Katherine Haviland),
226, 228, 230, 231, 238, 239, 326.
329; Mrs. John Haviland, 239.
Overocker, Edwin, 242; Mrs. Jacob
v., 230, 239; George, 242.
Packard, Mrs. James B., 239.
Page, Henry W., 247; Mary, 331;
Robert E., 242.
Palmatier, Parmentier, Peter, 15,
56; William, 95.
Palmer, James, 314; Mrs. Maria,
209; Robert. 176, 194.
Pardee, John. 171; Stephen, 153,
157. 171.
Parker, Dr. Edward Hazen, 184,
203, 207-210, 251, 304, 306, 308,
330, 332; Mrs. Edward H.
(Sarah Olcott), 208, 222, 225, 226,
330; Mrs. Edward H. (Jeannie
C. Wright), 184, 225, 226, 230,
231, 233, 238; Miss Helen
Choate, 208, 226, 230, 234, 330;
Joseph, 108, 131, 199, 310, 311;
Sylvester, 171; Thomas, 209;
Miss, 171.
Parkinson, Miss Elizabeth, 153;
John, 157, 171; Mary, 160.
Parsons, Chester, 128, 131, 171;
Frederick T., 153; Seth, 171;
Mrs., 171.
Paten, Stephen, 314.
Patten, G. W., 209; John, 95;
Robert, 30.
Patterson, George, 242.
Pawling, John, 53.
' (Payn?), Benjamin, 15.
Payne, E. T., 171; James William,
41, 53.
Pearce, George T., 242; Mrs.
George T., 236.
Pease, Grove A., 171.
Pells, Abraham, 95; Hendrick, 95;
Henry S., 41.
Pennington, William, 131.
Perkins, Edward E.. 242.
Petition, Miss Sarah, 226, 227, 233,
234 238 239.
Phillips, David, 131. 171, 305; Mrs.,
171.
Phinney, Miss Lydia Ingraham, 184,
203, 209, 224-226, 332.
Pier. Sylvester, 232, 233, 307. 308,
311, 314, 334; Mrs. Sylvester,
230, 233; Victor, 232.
Pierce, Captain, 171; John, 171;
Marinas, 153, 157, 160, 171; Miss
Rebecca, 171.
Piersen, Mr., 171.
Pike, Katie. 331.
Pilgrim, Dr. Charles W., 242. 307.
308.
Pine, Dr. Per Lee, 209; Philip. 71,
346, 347, 400, 401.
Pinkney, Ezekiel, 69; John, 66;
Samuel, 53, 84, 101; Thomas, 41.
69.
(Pioner?), John, 84,
Piatt, Charles, 101; Isaac, 143, 153.
176, 206, 242; Mrs. Isaac (Marie
L. Reynolds), 234, 239; Isaac I.,
203.
Polk, William, 247; Mrs. William,
247.
Poole, Thomas, 41, 53, 55, 58, 66,
69, 84, 93, 101, 274, 304, 343, 357,
400.
Post, William, 55, 304.
Porteous, Dr. James G., 247, 331;
Mrs. James G.. 239; Miss Effie,
237, 239, 241.
Potter, the Rt. Rev. Alonzo, 143-
145, 316, 325, 333; the Rev. Dr.
Eliphalet Nott. 254, 299, 333;
the Rt. Rev. Henry Codman, 144,
187, 218, 248-250, 253, 254, 294.
296; the Rt. Rev. Horatio, 143-
145, 187, 213. 293, 316, 825;
Joseph, 142; Paraclete, 122, 128,
142, 143, 153, 157, 165, 171, 305.
308, 309; Mrs. Paraclete (Cla-
rissa Badger), 122, 142; Sheldon,
171; William Appleton, 229, 244,
245, 250, 328; Mrs., 209,
Poucher, Mrs. Morris, 326.
Powell, Miss Vera, 241.
Power, Nicholas, 84, 93, 101.
Prentice, the Rev. Joseph, 129.
Price, John, 101; Michael, 53.
Pride, John, 66, 69, 93.
Pritchard, Mrs. Benjamin, 236;
James, 55, 66, 69, 71, 84, 101, 113,
131, 304, 353, 356, 405, 408, 409,
412-414; Mr., 310, 311.
Provoost, the Rt. Rev. Samuel, 45-
47, 65, 75, 80-83, 109, 114, 116,
273, 279, 323.
Prowse, William G., 242; Mrs.
William G., 239.
Pudney. Richard. 153, 157, 160, 171.
Punderson, the Rev. Ebenezer, 267,
269.
Putnam, Dr. Emma, 239; Mrs., 230.
Pyre, Thomas, 38.
Quirk, Mrs. Thomas M., 237.
435
Index to Persons
Raab, Emily F., 247.
Radcliffe, Radclift, David Van
Ness, 160, 171: Jacob. 66, 124,
361, 375, 394; Peter W., 95.
Radford, Nathaniel, 171.
Rapalje, Mrs. Adrian, 240.
Raingeard, Mr., 171.
Ranns, Mary, 331.
Raymond, the Rev. Dr. W. O., 56,
268, 269.
Reade, John, 95, 101, 106, 113, 115,
119, 122, 131, 152, 171, 303, 305,
308, 315, 377, 381; Mrs. John
(Catherine Livingston), 115, 152,
171, 330; Robert L., 305, 308,
309.
Reed, Jane C. E. (Mrs. Thomas L.
Davies), 180, 287; the Rev. Dr.
John, 135, 136, 138-140, 142-144,
146, 148, 149, 151-156, 158-160,
163, 164, 167-169, 172, 174, 175,
177, 179, 180, 184, 188, 190, 191,
196, 206, 214, 216, 248, 261, 283-
288, 310, 312, 316, 317, 320, 324,
330, 333, 334; Mrs. John (Susan
Robinson), 153, 287; Mrs. John
(Elizabeth Parkinson), 153, 287.
Reeves, Miss Agnes, 231.
Reickel, Mrs. James M., 236, 240.
Reid, Eli, 54.
Relay, Henry, 84, 95, 113, 171;
Mrs. Henry, 171; Lewis, 113.
Retsey, John M., 15, 54.
Reynolds, Miss Cora A., 226, 234;
Harris S., 243; Mrs. Harris S.,
237, 238, 240; Miss Helen
Wilkinson, 150, 237, 238, 240, 241,
320; John R., 333; Mrs. John
R., 235, 240; Louis W., 243;
Miss May L., 238, 240, 241;
Paul I., 243; Percy L., 234, 243.
Rhinelander, Fred., 43.
Rich, Charles A., 259.
Richards, Ashley H., 243; Mary
Gibson, 325.
Richmond, John, 95.
Richter, John Michael, 41.
Rider, the Rev. Dr. George T., 187,
209.
Rikel, Frederick, 243; Mrs. James,
236; James, 243..
Riley, Dr. Isaac Woodbridge, 243.
Ritter, F. W., 176.
Rivington, James, 43, 48.
Roberts, Daniel, 15, 17, 31, 54.
Robinson, Beverly, 268; Charles
P., 247; John D., 153, 157, 160,
171, 209; Mrs. John D. (Sarah
Forbus), 153, 182, 203; Samuel
I., 243, 307.
Robson, James, 247.
Roe, Ezekiel, 101.
Rogers, Charles P., 171; Mrs.
Charles, 236; Eliza, 101, 131;
Ichabod, 54; James, 69.
Rollinson, Edward Innis, 326; Mrs.
Joseph, 326.
Roosevelt, Miss Ellen C, 237, 240,
241; John A., 307; Mrs. John A.,
237, 240.
Rosekrans, Benjamin, 41; Henry,
41; James, 41.
Ross, David, 93.
Rothery, Matthew, 95, 101, 131.
Rowe, Mrs., 203.
Rudd, the Rev. Arthur B., 232, 318;
Mrs. Charles, 230, 240; Hilen,
171; Theron, 171; Zebulon, 247.
Ruggles, Charles H.. 160, 176, 193;
Henry J., 115, 145, 148-152, 154,
158, 200; Nathaniel, 171; Philo,
128, 131, 140, 141, 157, 171, 303.
305, 308, 312; Samuel, 157, 158;
Samuel B., 157.
Rupley, Mary, 331; Samuel K..
307. 308, 334.
Russell, the Rev. Gilbert V., 318;
Mrs. Jay W., 240.
Rutgens, Captain, 93.
Rutza, Asa, 101.
Rutsen, Henry, 314.
Rutzer, Henry, 101, 131.
Ryan, John, 171.
Sackett, Leonard B., 209; Mrs.
Leonard B., 203.
Sague, Clarence, 243; Horace, 209,
212, 243, 247, 251; Mrs. Horace
(Harriet J. Kelsey), 177, 206,
224, 225, 230, 237, 240, 247;
John Kelsey, 194, 231. 232, 234,
243, 247, 304, 307, 308, 310. 334;
Mrs. John Kelsey (Helen N.
Frost), 233, 237. 238, 240.
Salisbury, Frederick, 209.
Sanders, Robert, 34.
Sands, George, 15, 66; Henry, 16,
54; James, 171; William, 171;
Mr., 97.
Sanford, Miss Mary B., 234, 238.
240; Robert, 247; Mrs. Robert
(Helen M. H. Stuyvesant), 325.
Sanse, Richard, 43.
Sayrs, the Rev. John Johnson, 92,
436
Index to Persons
95, 105, 276-278, 321, 371; Mrs.
John Johnson (Sophia Sprafce),
278; John Johnson, Jr., 278;
John, 113, 131.
Scarborough, the Rt. Rev. John,
249, 250.
Schenck, Henry, 347; John, Jr., 41;
Paul, 66, 95.
Schermerhorn, Miss Elizabeth, 233;
the Rev. Martin K., 318.
Schoonmaker, A. AUendorph, 243;
the Rev. Hendricus, 44.
Schou, Charles E., 247.
Schryver, Peter, 66.
Schultz, Mrs. William T., 230.
Schuyler, Philip T., 95.
Schwartz, Albert E., 242, 243; Mrs.
Albert E., 225, 237, 238, 240.
Scofield, Charles, 243.
Scott, Mrs. Jane, 236.
Seabury, Davis, 43; John, 63;
Joseph, 92; the Rev. Samuel,
1-4, 6-12, 16, 26, 111, 265, 266;
Mrs. Samuel (Abigail Mumford),
265, 266; Mrs. Samuel (Elizabeth
Powell), 266; the Rt. Rev.
Samuel, 67, 68, 77, 79, 80, 266,
270, 271, 401, 415; the Rev. Dr.
William J., 3, 197.
Seaman, David, 66; Peter. 41.
Searle, George F., 209.
Shattuck, Sydney D., 243.
Shear, Johannes, 41.
Sheels, James, 41.
Shepherd, Miss Elizabeth, 188, 192,
200, 247.
Sherrill, Harold, 243; Hunting, 160;
Wilfred, 243.
Sherwood, the Rev. Reuben, 169.
Shultz, Miss Amelia, 240, 247;
Charles E., 247; Miss Lydia, 237,
240, 247.
Shurter, James, 247; Miss S.. 247.
Shuster, Frances, 247.
Sibley, Samuel, 171.
Sidell, Edwin V.. 242, 243; Mrs.
Edwin V. (Carrie Campbell),
225, 233. 237, 240.
Siegfried, Frederick H., 243.
Silkreggs, Jeremiah, 310, 312.
Silvernail, Mrs. Warren, 236.
Simpson, Albert A., 243, 307; Mrs.
Albert A., 240.
Sirrine, Harry, 243; William, 243;
Mrs. William, 240.
(Sitton ?), John, 41.
Sketchlev, Thomas, 131; the Miss-
es, 131.
Skinner, Warren, 153, 157, 171, 310.
312.
Slater, James H., 243; Mrs. James
H., 236.
Slee, Miss Lina, 226. 233; Samuel,
131, 305.
Sleight, Abraham, 41.
Sloan, Catherine, 84; Gerard S..
131, 171; Miss Gertrude, 233,
240; James, 247; John J., 232,
247, 307; ' William H.. 232, 243,
247; Mrs.. 84.
Smith, Abel, 84, 95, 102, 131, 171;
the Rt. Rev. Benjamin B., 281;
Benjamin, 41; Daniel, 54, 55, 66,
84, 93, 102, 304, 353, 357, 414;
Frederick, 84; George, 84; Ger-
ard, 55, 304; Granville, 113, 131,
171; Harold, 243; Miss Harriet,
153; Harry M., 243; l-saac, 70,
247, 288, 347, 348, 351, 360;
Captain Israel, 66, 69, 93, 99, 102;
Jacob, 54; James Scott, 93, 95;
James S., 102; John, 41, 95, 102;
Josiah, 95; Maurice, 15, 41, 54;
Morris S., 54; Ralph, 243; Robert,
69; Samuel, 15, 36, 41, 54, 55, 66,
69, 84, 93, 102, 303, 304, 362, 402;
William, 95, 105; William C,
171; William De Garmo, 243,
307-309; Mrs. William De Garmo,
237, 240; William John, 331.
Snedeker, Richard, 15, 66, 69, 362.
Snider, Benjamin, 71, 98.
Snowden, the Rev. W. E., 250.
Snyder, Miss Fanny D., 237, 240.
Southard, Southward, Gilbert, 345
Joseph, 66, 84; Richard, 19
Thomas, 71; Zebulon, 38, 345
Mr., 71.
I Southwick, Stephen, 160. *
! Spaulding, Arthur Frost, 258, 339;
Pufnam Frost. 247, 251, 258, 304,
306, 308, 334. 339; Mrs. Putnam
Frost, 215, 230, 240.
Spencer, Reuben, 171.
Sperbeck, Mrs., 236.
Spierin, the Rev. George Hartwell.
81, 90, 92, 271, 273-277. 315. 321.
371.
Spross, John, 243; Mrs. John, 286;
Philip, 243; Mrs. Philip, 236.
Stanwix. John, 153, 157, 160. 171,
306; Mrs.. 203.
Stearns. Mrs. Robert, 230, 247.
437
Index to Persons
Steenburgh, Elias, 171.
Stephens, Stevens, Sevens, Damon,
171; Stephen, 66, 84, 93; William
S., 160.
Stewart, Alexander, 114; Archibald,
84, 90. 91, 93, 95, 99, 102, 114,
131, 305, 309, 361.
Stone, Mrs,, 236.
Storm, Edward, 209; Mrs. Edward,
230; George W., 247; Mrs.
George W., 230; Miss Margaret
A., 226. 230.
Stoughton, Thomas P., 310, 312,
313.
Stoughtenburgh, John, 54; Peter,
43.
Stratford, Mrs. Robert J., 238.
Stratton, John. 243.
Street, Streit, Randall S.. 116. 128,
131, 171, 305, 308, 387, 396;
William A., 334; William I., 176,
334;Mrs.WilliamI..334;Mr.,193.
Strouts, Sarah A., 176.
Stuart, Amelia, 176; Julia, 176;
Mary, 176; Thomas. 15.
Stuyvesant. (J. R. ?). 193; John
Reade, 325; Mrs. John Reade,
209, 325; John Reade, 2d, 325;
Miss Anna Elizabeth, 325.
Sutcliffe. the Rev. Eli D.. 317;
John, 247.
Sutherland, Solomon, 95.
Sweeny, Mrs. Louis, 326.
Swift, A. B., 171; Mrs. Charles W.
(Mary Messier), 334; Charles W .
2d, 243; Mrs. Charles W., 2d,
(Adelaide Van Kleeck). 238. 240;
Miss Elma D., 240.
Synott. Mrs. Stephen H.. 227.
Tallmadge, the Hon. Nathaniel P.,
141. 153, 157. 160, 165, 171, 306;
Mrs. Nathaniel P., 153.
Tanner, Mrs.. 209.
Tappen, Elizabeth, 95; .John, 66,
69, 102; Peter, 41, 50, 52, 54, 57,
62, 66, 69, 93, 102; Mrs. Peter
(Elizabeth Crannell), 50; Tunis,
102.
Taylor, Mrs. Charlotte, 203;
George, 95, 131, 171, 309; Hud-
son, 209, 247, 334; Mrs. Hudson
(Christine), 247, 251; Miss Lou-
ise E.. 240; Miss Mildred E..
226; Robert E., 209, 247; Mrs.
Robert E., 184, 225, 230, 231. 237;
William. 131; Dr., 171.
Ten Broeck, Hannah. 15; the Rev.
Petrus, 164.
Ten Eyck and Seaman, 43.
Tenney, Benjamin R., 186, 194. 203,
208, 209, 247, 306, 309. 327;
Mrs. Benjamin R., 222. 225. 226.
230, 240, 251, 327.
Ter Boss, Daniel, 33, 71, 343. 346,
347, 356, 400, 401; Henry, 4;
Jacobus, 4, 19, 38.
Ter Bush, Cornelius. 69; John, 66.
Terry, William, 15, 54, 66. 111.
Thacher. T., 131.
Thomas, Miss Elizabeth, 209, 230,
251; Dr. John, 66, 102, 142, 171,
316; Miss Olivia, 176; Miss
Sarah, 209, 230; Dr. William,
142, 157, 160, 171; the Rev.
William B., 209, 298, 309, 316.
317; the Ven. William R^ed, 317.
Thompson. Abiel. 131. 305, 310,
312; Mrs. Abiel, 171; Abiel G.,
171; E., 171; Mrs. John, 223,
230, 238, 247. 251. 331; John J.,
251; Robert. 15. 54; Samuel, 84;
Smith, 95.
Thome, James. 95; Robert. 102.
305.
Thurman. John, Jr.. 43.
Thrasher, Asahal, Ashael. 84, 102.
Tice, B. G., 232.
Tillotson, Thomas. 95.
Toucey. John M., 209.
Tower, Albert, 244, 245, 247. 250.
306. 325; Mrs. Albert. 226, 227,
248, 325, 327, 328, 334; A.
Edward, 259, 304, 307, 309, 310,
331; Mrs. A. Edward, 226. 231,
237; Joseph T., 226, 251, 307.
Townsend, Mrs., 230.
Traver, Henry I., 160.
Travers, the Rev. Edward S.. 298.
Tredwell, Edward, 41.
Trivett, Elias, 142, 153, 157. 159.
160, 171, 193, 306, 309; Theodore
176, 192; Mrs. Walter (Frances
M. Davis). 337.
Trolley, Isaac, 243; Mrs. Isaac, 240.
Trowbridge, George B.. 209.
Tryon, Governor William, 35.
Turnbull. George, 102.
Turner, Chester, 153; William, 171.
Tweedy, John, 247; Mrs. John, 247.
T ( ? ). Dr., 193.
Vail. Percy E., 314.
Valentine. Edward W., 243, 250,
438
Index to Persons
257,311, 314; Mrs. Edward W.,
240; Frank, 243; George, 247;
Mrs. Harry, 240; Mrs. Mary J.,
236; Mrs. Mary, 247; Samuel
M., 193.
Van Benthuysen, Jacob, 171.
Van Blorcum, James, 67.
Van Bommell, Peter, 113.
Van Bunschoten, Elias, 95, 102;
John E., 102.
Van Buren, Edward L., 331.
Van Cortland, Augustus, 43; John,
43.
Van Dam, Anthony, 43.
Van de Burgh, Van den Burg, Van
der Burgh, Bartholomew, 98;
Colonel, 412; Henry, 15, 50, 51,
54, 56, 303; James, 31, 69; John,
41, 69; Margaret, 41; Richard,
15, 56.
Vanderbilt, John, 43.
Van der Bogert, Francois, 62;
Myndert Harmense, 33, 34, 349.
Van Dyck, the Rev. Dr. Henry, 65,
67-69, 77, 85, 86, 88, 92, 96, 97,
270-273, 311 321, 357, 359, 360,
870, 371, 899-417; Mrs. Henry,
271, 416; Richard, 273.
Van Horn, the Rev. Frederick, 106,
107.
Van Keuren, Mrs. John, 230.
Van Kleeck, Aswarus, 41; Baltus,
Balthus, 15, 54, 69, 356; Barent,
41; Edgar M., 195, 203, 209, 245,
307, 327; Mrs. Edgar M., 230,
247, 327, 338; Elizabeth, 209;
George M., 153, 176. 193-195, 203,
209, 247, 303, 306, 309, 327;
Mrs. George M., 327; Miss
Helen, 226, 231, 237, 238, 240,
241; Miss Irene, 230, 238, 240;
Isaac, 95; James L., 128, 171;
James Livingston, 95; Jane, 67,
69, 102; John, 41, 69; John H.,
247; Lawrence, 15, 154; Law-
rence B., 15; Lawrence I., 171;
Leonard, 15; Myndert, 15, 54,
67, 69, 93, 95, 102, 352, 357, 358,
360, 370; Peter, 27, 41; Peter B.,
41, 67, 69; Robert, 194, 195, 231-
233, 247, 251, 306, 309, 310, 326;
Mrs. Robert, 225, 230, 231, 233,
237, 240; Sarah, 203; Theodore,
209, 213.
Van Ness, Garret B., 131, 386-388,
398; Jacob, 171.
Van Steenbarck, John, 54.
Van Vlack, Reuben, 243.
Van Vliet, Benjamin C, 153, 163,
191, 192, 194, 311, 313; Isaac B.,
209, 315; Mrs. Isaac B., 240;
Dr. Isaac F., 295; John R., 209,
315; Miss Mary, 315; Mrs.
Susan B., 247; Mrs., 203.
Van Voorhees, Jacob, 43, 357*
Stephen, 41.
Van Wagenen, Miss Elizabeth, 209;
Hubert, 82, 193, 208, 303, 309;
John. 209; John W., 186; Mrs.,
203.
Van Wagener, John, 63.
Vassar, John Guy, 337.
Vaughn, Miss Nannie L., 234, 240.
Velie, Baltus, 41; Myn-dert, 41.
Veltman, Hiram, 171.
Vemont, Jean Pierre, 85; John
Peter, 67, 113; John P., 69, 85,
95, 102, 131, 305. (See De
Vemont.)
Verplanck, Daniel C, 89, 361;
Samuel, 69, 70, 102, 348; William
B., 95.
Von Tiling, Mrs. J. H. M. A., 238,
240.
Vredenburgh, Miss Mary, 247.
Wadsworth, Jonathan, 153, 157,
171.
Wainwright, the Rt. Rev. J. M., 290.
Waldron, Joseph J., 160, 171.
Wallhead, Frank, 243; Harry, 242,
243; Mrs. Harry, 233, 237, 240.
Walsworth, Benjamin, 54.
Ward, Mrs. Owen (Josephine M.
Doughty), 230, 234, 240, 246;
Mrs. William T., 240; ( ? ), 171.
Warner, Charles, 160; Richard, 15,
54, 67. 84, 102; Thomas, 67.
Washington, General, 114.
Watts, John, 41.
Weeks, Zophar, 85.
Weikert, the Rev. Samuel A., 238,
235, 254, 260, 296, 297, 324, 334;
Mrs. Samuel A., 234, 297.
Weills, the Rev. J. C. S., 334.
Wesley, Walter, 232, 243.
West, William F., 243.
Weyant, Minnie, 331.
Wheaton, the Hon. Charles, 210,
290; Mrs. Charles, 290; the Rev.
Homer, 98, 163, 166, 167, 169,
172, 174-177, 180, 188-193, 206-
208, 214, 250, 288-290, 298, 317,
322, 324; Mrs. Homer (Louisa
439
Index to Persons
Smith), 175, 288; Isaac S., Ist,
176, 290; Isaac S., 2d, 290.
Whipple, the Rt. Rev. Henry B.,
227.
White, Henry, 43; the Rt. Rev,
William, 78-80, 277, 323.
Whiten, Mrs. Ellen, 247.
Whittingham, the Rt. Rev. W. R..
292.
Wickham, Daniel H., 43.
Wigg, John, 95.
Wilev, Richard, 171, 305; Miss,
230.
Wilkinson, George, Jr., 243, 314;
Miss May C, 240, 241; Richard,
54, 304; Robert, 163; Robert F..
247.
Willemy, Joseph, 84.
WiUett, Egbert, 353; Elbert, 353,
357.
Williams, Mrs. Charles, 228, 230;
the Rt. Rev. Charles D., 241;
Mrs. Frank, 236; James L., 247,
251, 331, 334; Mrs. James L., 230;
Miss .Jessie, 240; Pierre G., 243;
Robert, 95, 102, 113, 131; Robert
S., 210; Miss Sarah E., 240;
Thomas, 160, 171; William D.,
98; Mrs., 84.
Willoughby, 157, 158.
Wilmer, the Rt. Rev. Richard
Hooker, 206, 291; the Rev. Dr.
William H., 291.
Wilson, Archibald, 210; Mrs. Henry
T., 331; .James Grant. 46; John,
62, 102; Mrs., 171.
Wiltsie, Hiram S., 232, 233, 307,
309, 334; Martin, 70, 347, 348;
Mrs. Jeromus, 230, 251.
Winans, James, 54.
Winslow, Miss Margaret, 230.
Wise, Mrs., 230.
Wirsch, John, 247.
Wolfif, William, 243.
Wolven, E., 232.
Wood. Charles F., 238, 240; Mrs.
Charles F., 238, 240; George, 247;
Henry, 243, 247, 314; Isaac, 67,
84; Jesse, 67; John, 43; John
H., 176; Dr. Louis C, 243; Mrs.
Louis C, 240; Miss Mary, 237;
Mary, 67; ( ? ), 131.
Woodin, Miss Marv E., 226, 231,
233, 234, 238, 240; Mrs. William
R., 240; Mrs., 210.
Woodruff, Frederick, 157, 171, 210;
Maria, 176.
Woodward, John, 43.
Wooley, George W., 160; Thomas,
54.
Woolsey, Melancthon Lloyd, 55, 67,
69, 102, 304, 351, 352, 412.
Worrall, Benjamin, 210; John, 176;
William, 157; William H., 171;
Mrs., 203.
Wright, Amaziah, 171, 305, 309;
the Rev. Dr. D. Grosvenor, 186,
210; the Rev. George, 413; Miss
Jeannie C. (Mrs. Edward H.
Parker), 227; Mrs. Jere V., 230;
William, 243; Dr., 171.
Wrigley, Walter, 243; Mrs. Walter,
240.
Yelverton, Mrs. Fleming, 230; Mrs.
Julia G., 247, 251; Mrs., 171.
Young, Henry L., 247; Thomas C,
243.
Ziegenfuss, the Rev. Dr. Henry L.,
177, 196, 199, 215, 218-220, 222-
225, 227, 233, 244, 249, 250, 252-
254, 260, 293-296, 299, 300, 316,
324, 328, 331, 334; Mrs. Henry
L. (Ella Van Vliet), 230, 295.
440
«'
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{!iil
Published for the
Wardens and Vestrymen of Christ Church
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
by Frank B. Howard, Poughkeepsie
Printed by the A. V. Haight Company
Poughkeepsie
Photogravure by the Harwell-Evans Company
New York
Half-tone plates engraved by the
Gill Engraving Company
New York
Binding by Robert Rutter & Son
New York
One copy del. to Cat. Div.
J